<em>College Basketball: </em> Penn-LaSalle Tipoff Is Wednesday
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It should be an interesting match-up at Gola Arena on Wednesday, as Penn and La Salle meet in a Big 5 game.
The Quakers are 5-6 this season; they haven't played since losing to Kentucky on January 3rd (86-62).
Penn head coach Jerome Allen says his team is making progress.
"I think for the most part the guys are starting to buy in to everything that we're preaching defensively," he told KYW Newsradio on Tuesday. "The kids are really, really responding and trying to play the right way."
Hear the entire Jerome Allen interview in this CBS Philly SportsPod...
La Salle has struggled lately, losing six of seven, and head coach Dr. John Giannini says their problems have nothing to do with X's and O's.
"It has to do with focus and energy and mentality, and the things that good teams need: veteran leadership, mental toughness, and commitment to things like defense. It's a completely mental issue," Giannini said.
Hear the entire John Giannini interview in this CBS Philly SportsPod...
Despite the recent skid, Allen says, the Explorers are a dangerous team.
"They have a lot of talent, they have a lot of athleticism, a lot of strength, quickness on the perimeter, inside presence in (Aaric) Murray and (Jerrell) Williams," the Penn coach said. "I think they are a better team than what their record indicates. I think the biggest challenge for us will be limiting the amount of opportunities we give them with easy looks at the basket and just be prepared to fight for 40 minutes."
Giannini, meanwhile, praises the Quakers team he sees as much improved from a season ago.
"They have good players. (Guard) Zack Rosen is a potential Player of the Year (in the Ivy League). (Forward Tyler) Bernardini was an (All-League) player before he got hurt a couple years ago and he's just older and better now. So they have two guys very proven in the league," Giannini said.
La Salle is 7-9 this season. Both teams lost their City Series openers to Villanova.
Reported by Matt Leon, KYW Newsradio 1060.
