We know these end-of-the-year list thingys are more prevalent these days than commercials for erectile dysfunction, but then again, we’ve never been accused of being original or even clever. Besides, we figured having a List of Our Own might actually be a complete waste of your time drum up readership. Bear in mind that a great deal of time and effort went into compiling this list, so long as you understand “time and effort” to amount to hurried scribbles on a napkin between rounds of Kenzinger pints at the Cherry Street Tavern. And so, without further ado — because this afternoon we honestly have nothing better to do — it’s here: The Top 10 Big 5 Moments of 2008. We hope you manage to make it all the way through.
(more…)

You know, I just can’t mention Campbell University’s nickname — the Fighting Camels — enough. Fighting Camels. See? Anyway, Penn’s long losing streak, which lasted five games and dated all the way back to Nov. 22 (largely because the Quakers took a 24-day break between games that ended Monday), is over. Penn 78, Fighting Camels of Campbell 67. It was the consolation game of the UCF Holiday Classic in Orlando, and it was easily Penn’s best game of the season. The Quakers did little wrong, in fact: They shot 54.7 percent from the field and 15-for-20 (which is 75 percent) from the line. They had 21 assists on 29 field goals. They had 12 blocks (12 blocks!) and 10 steals (10 steals!). Five players reached double figures. Jack Eggleston was picked to the all-tournament team, while Cameron Lewis (14 points, seven boards, five blocks) played one heckuva game. Penn (2-7) is off again for another week now. The Quakers next play on Tuesday when they host Lafayette at the P-spot. Fighting Camels.

The Quakers were right with Central Florida in the first round of the UCF Holiday Classic last night in Orlando. They trailed by just six midway through the second half, but the Knights pulled away to pick up an 81-64 win. UCF’s Jermaine Taylor scored 34 points, while Jack Eggleston led Penn with 15, even though Tyler Bernardini had 12 by halftime. Penn (1-7) plays in the consolation game this afternoon against Campbell, which lost to Chicago State, 98-89. Chi State’s David Holston, the nation’s second-leading scorer, scored 40 points and made eight 3s in that game. Like, whoa.

Tipoff is at 4:30 p.m. Campbell’s nickname is the Fighting Camels, which is just too cool. They’re 3-7, they’re located in Buies Creek, N.C., and they play in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Just in case you were curious.

Links: Your Campbell Fighting Camels [Campbell University]
The Atlantic Sun Conference official site [Atlantic Sun Conference]

Kind of a blah night at the Ski Lodge. Neither ‘Nova nor Temple could shoot the ball well, and the crowd was a rather bit subdued. Seriously, were it not for Corey Fisher, who scored 23 points (19 in the second half), it was kind of hard to stay awake for this one. Oh, right: ‘Nova won, 62-45, and the ‘Cats have finished 4-0 in the Big 5, which means they’re the 2009 Big 5 champs before it’s even 2009. But that’s how it goes.
(more…)

Penn (1-6) hasn’t played in 24 days, so we can be excused for overlooking the fact that it’s playing Central Florida (6-4) tonight at 7 in the first round of the UCF Holiday Tournament in Orlando, Fla.

WHAT: Temple (5-5) at Villanova (11-1)
WHEN: Tonight, 7
WHERE: The Pavilion, Villanova
TV: ESPNU
RADIO: ESPN-AM 950; WPHT-AM 1210
SERIES: Villanova leads, 42-40
LAST TEMPLE WIN: 53-52, Dec. 4, 2004
LAST VILLANOVA WIN: 101-93, Dec. 9, 2007

(more…)

The enigmatic Hawks led by 18 with 15 minutes to play but couldn’t handle Siena’s pressure defense after that and somehow lost, 75-74. Saint Joe’s wound up turning the ball over 19 times for the game, and Tasheed Carr clanged a one-and-one with 9.5 seconds left, setting the stage for Ryan Rossiter’s two free throws with 2.4 ticks left. All this despite a career-high 20 points from Idris Hilliard. Go figure. Seriously. There were 6,128 in the P for the game, which means Saint Joe’s is drawing quite well at its downtown home-away-from home, even with the students on break. The 5-6 Hawks next play New Year’s Eve against Drexel at the P-spot.

The Dragons actually shot the ball well: They made 46 percent from the field and pulled out a 76-70 win on Saturday, ending their five-game losing streak. Tramayne Hawthorne scored 21, while Samme Givens had 12 rebounds (six offensive). The Dragons (3-6) next play on New Year’s Eve against Saint Joe’s at the P.

With the holidays and finals, it’s been something of a slow time for action from the city’s college basketball teams — a trend that continues this weekend, when the action will be light…
(more…)