Penn hoops fans feel the buzz

After the Penn men's basketball team slammed home its third victory of the season on Saturday against Iowa State, Penn fans got a taste of something they'd been missing for quite a while -- excitement.

Following a sub-standard 12-17 season that fell well short of an Ivy League championship, the Quakers kicked their 2001 campaign into high gear by knocking off Georgia Tech, Eastern Illinois and Iowa State. The only blemish was a loss to Illinois, the No. 2 team in the nation.

"Of course Penn has a long history of playing some tough games early in the season against ranked teams," said Jack Nagel, Chairman of the Political Science Department. "Nevertheless, I'm really excited."

Though the buzz of excitement does not run campus-wide, its flow is healthy among avid Penn sports fans.

"There's not a whole lot of talk," College sophomore Lauren Cavanaugh said. "But you hear about it from the big sports fans."

Cavanaugh, like many others on campus, was surprised at Penn's 3-1 start.

"[Their record is surprising] since they were playing such big teams," she said. "Against Georgia Tech and Illinois they had a chance, but I wasn't sure if they could pull [the games] out."

Now, with the Quakers returning from Vegas, most are hoping the team can maintain its momentum.

The Red and Blue's home season kicks off at the Palestra tomorrow against West Philly rival Drexel. After winter break, Penn will start engaging Ivy League opponents.

"I haven't followed them so far," Engineering sophomore Greg Reilly said. "Starting over winter break and the Ivy games, I'll be going."

Unlike Reilly, College senior Ethan Rogers will be a regular at all Quakers home games.

"[Penn's start] is surprising, to say the least," said Rogers, a season-ticket holder. "They're playing very well and that bodes well for March."

Despite all the avid support, enthusiasm is guarded. Penn is only four games in, and many feel a letdown could be on the way if the players get overconfident.

Junior forward Ugonna Onyekwe has about as much to do with the Quakers' turnaround as anyone, but not everyone is sold on his early dominance.

"[Onyekwe] started the same way last year and sort of subsided," Nagel said. "I hope the same thing doesn't happen this year."

Rogers concurs. He believes that consistency and steady improvement hold the key to the Ivy League title.

"[Penn] shot very well in the tournament," he said. "I'd like to see them gut out a win instead of shooting the lights out of people. They need better rebounding and free-throwing shooting, and overall consistency."

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