Local college hoops ready for season

by Brian O'Connell sports editor

It is that time again. The road to the Final Four is under way. It seems like last year's NCAA tournament ended two weeks ago. But, hey, who is complaining? College basketball is by far and away the best basketball to watch anywhere, and anyone in the Philadelphia area who has been around could agree that the local teams are set for a great year.

It all starts with that team down on Broad Street, the Temple Owls. Coach John Chaney has started his infamous practices at sunrise again. The Owls are ready to roll this year. They are fully equipped with the arsenal to take Coach Chaney to his first Final Four. The legendary coach has come oh so close to the Final Four, but hopefully this will be the year he makes it.

The team starts with Mark Karcher, one of the most phenomenal players ever to go through Temple. Karcher had a great year last year, but due to weight problems and being out of shape, his best is yet to come.

Point guard Pepe Sanchez enters his final year of running the offense for Chaney and should be feared by programs all over the country. In addition to these two phenoms, the Owls roster just keeps on going with Lamont Barnes, Kevin Lyde, Quincy Wadley, Alex Wesby and Lynn Greer, who is returning from an injury he suffered last year.

To put it simply, teams better hope and pray they do

1999-2000 Men's Basketball Schedule

Mon. Nov. 29 Widener University 7p.m.

Wed. Dec. 1 Gwynedd-Mercy College 8p.m.

Thurs. Jan.6 Shenendoah University 7p.m.

Head Coach: John Dzik

Career Record: (20th season, 375-157)

Cabrini Record: (20th season, 375-157)

1999-2000 Women's Basketball Schedule

Tues. Nov. 23 University of Scranton 7p.m.

Wed. Dec. 1 Gwynedd-Mercy College 6p.m.

Mon. Dec. 6 Immaculata College 7p.m.

Head Coach: Dan Welde not get seeded to play Temple in March.

Note: All games listed are home games for the beginning of the season. Further home games will follow.

Over on City Line Ave. are the underrated St. Joseph's Hawks. After leading his teams to an NIT finalist appearance and an NCAA "Sweet 16" appearance, coach Phil Martelli has had a difficult time the past two seasons finishing above .500. That will all change this year. A lot of experts are sleeping on the Hawks, but they are looking to spread their wings and soar above the rest. They have their entire team back from last year including transfers Bill Phillips from William and Mary and Marvin O'Connor from nearby Villanova. Returning are Na'im Crenshaw, Larry Jennings, Damian Reid, ak.a. the "Little Admiral," Tim Brown, Robert Haskins, Frank Wilkins and Andre Howard. Coach Martelli stated that there are no all-league players on the team, but a collection of solid players and an enormous amount of depth, a luxury he has never had. However, he also stated that he has to figure out the right combination of players to win games and return to the post-season. Teams that do not take the Hawks seriously this season are in for a most unpleasant 40 minutes of hard-nosed basketball.

Right down in University City, one might come across the defending Ivy League champs, the University of Pennsylvania Quakers. Head coach Fran Dunphy has some great talent returning this year with senior guard and allIvy League player Michael Jordan (no relation). Also, look out for Lamaar Plummer, who was a backcourt mate of Jordan's at Abington Friends. Don't miss out on freshman Ugonna Onyekwe. He is expected to make some noise in the Ivy League. The Nigerian native has high expectations filling in the forward position for head coach

Fran Dunphy.

Right down Lancaster Ave. one cannot miss Villanova. This will be an interesting year for the Wtldcats. It all starts with senior center Malik Allen. Since moving from the forward position to the center position, Allen's game has totally exploded. Along with Allen is senior Brian Lynch to fill in the outside scoring for head coach Steve Lappas. His unselfish play should help the Cats. Villanova has four newcomers, three of whom are big men, so that is a plus for the Cats this season. Whether they make the post-season or not is up to Allen and Lynch.

Finally, way up on Olney Ave. are the LaSalle Explorers who have made as much noise as a pin drop the past few seasons. However, last year the Explorers were able to finish at .500 in the Atlantic 10 and a game under .500 for _ the regular season. That started to open some eyes for fans and also got Coach Speedy Morris an extended contract. However, the Explorers will have to do without the services of K'Zell Wesson, who gave the Explorers 110 percent every night. Without Wesson, the Explorers frontcourt will get hammered. So, they will have to rely on the outside shooting of senior Donnie Carr, who is a scoring machine, but whose overall shooting percentage needs to improve. Carr finally became a team player last year after cleaning up his disgraceful classless act from his first two years. In addition to Carr, Victor Thomas and Rasual Butler can fill it up from outside.

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Sun., Nov. 21 • 6:05 PII/I

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Fri., Nov. 26 • 7:05 PM

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