Dec. 14
PENN THEM IN
Trust me when I tell you that Penn, even after starting 0-7, will be in the Big Dance.
Fran Dunphy's team is still the favorite to win the Ivy League. Give Dunphy credit for playing a very tough schedule, including games against Seton Hall, Maryland and Penn State.
The Quakers will battle Princeton for the Ivy crown and NCAA berth.
HOUSTON, HELLO
One of the key transfers so far this season is Kevin Houston of St. Bonaventure. Houston came over from Miami-Florida and he has made a difference for Jim Baron's squad.
He has been a great asset as he scored 32 points in a win over Siena earlier this week. The Bonnies have suffered just one loss this season -- to Kent State. St. Bonaventure has Ws over Charlotte, Fresno State and Toledo.
Houston had the winning hoop against Charlotte. He has been an underrated PTPer for the A-10 school.
A LIFT FOR USC
Henry Bibby's Trojans have started fast this season and they may get another lift if the NCAA reinstates Jeff Trepagnier. David Bluthenthal and Sam Clancy have led USC out of the gate, and the potential return of Trepagnier would help the team's depth.
The Trojans suffered a blow when Jarvis Turner went down with an injury. Trepagnier is a great athlete who can run and jump. He's a tremendous defender and a difference-maker.
Trepagnier has been out while the NCAA has investigated the payment of a plane ticket to Las Vegas.
TOUGH LUCK
I was sad to hear that Jeremy Hays decided to hang up his sneakers.
The Alabama center deserves a tough-luck award. He worked so hard to rehab a torn ACL in his knee. Then, on the road to recovery, a benign tumor was found in his leg. The pain was excruciating.
Hays decided that he couldn't be the same player he once was. The pain was simply too much, and the Tide lost a quality kid from its squad. I wish Jeremy the best of luck in the future.
HOLY TOLEDO
Keep an eye on Toledo freshman guard Terry Reynolds. The 5-foot-9 Reynolds attended Oak Hill Academy and Maine Central Institute during his prep days and he has come in and made a difference for the Rockets.
Reynolds has good quickness and can break down defenses. He certainly can distribute the rock, averaging close to six assists a game while playing almost 36 minutes a contest.
Toledo won its first five games of the season before falling to St. Bonaventure. Again, here's a case of another talented team in the Mid-American Conference, one of the unsung leagues in America.
DURHAM DOING IT
A salute to veteran coach Hugh Durham. Yes, the same Hugh Durham who led Florida State to the Final Four in 1972. That's also the former Georgia coach Hugh Durham.
He has Jacksonville off to a 7-0 start. Last season, Jacksonville won eight games all season. That's the school which gave us Artis Gilmore!
ANOTHER SALUTE
How about a salute to Providence coach Tim Welsh. The Friars are 6-3 following an upset at George Washington, a team which beat St. John's a few weeks ago.
Abdul Mills had a career-high 25 points against the Colonials. Karim Shabazz, the transfer from Florida State, has developed up front; he had 14 points and 13 rebounds against George Washington.
Welsh and the Friars have overcome adversity in the form of player suspensions and transfers. Give him some credit for a good start.
