Staff Editorial: Congrats, and good luck

Last night at the Palestra, the men's basketball team ended its rollercoaster season with a tense but decisive 64-48 victory over archrival Princeton, winning it a share of the Ivy League crown and keeping its hopes for an automatic NCAA Tournament bid alive.

It was a fitting end to a season that began with such great promise before hitting on hard times. After unexpected victories over Georgia Tech and Iowa State, a painfully close game against then-second ranked Illinois and Penn's first outright Big 5 championship in 28 years, the Ivy season looked promising.

But hopes for a trip to the Big Dance took a terrible blow with disappointing losses to Harvard, Yale and perennial Ivy basement-dwellers Columbia. It looked very much like the team would be in front of the TV in March, rather than on the court.

The season was saved from oblivion by a dramatic nine-game winning streak, including victories over league leaders Yale and Princeton, culminating in yesterday's championship-clinching win.

Our heartfelt congratulations go out to Penn's champions on their 21st Ivy title. Through the trials and tribulations of a difficult season, they have certainly earned their crown.

Special congratulations go out to Penn's two seniors, Dan Solomito and Jon Tross, who played their final home games last night. Their leadership this season has helped the Quakers right the ship after last year's unfortunate effort and is a key reason that Penn was able to take the league title this season.

Of course, thanks to last night's stirring victory, this season is far from over for the Quakers. We wish it the best of luck on Saturday at Lafayette against the winner of the Princeton-Yale playoff game. But if the team keeps playing the way it has been, it will not need it.

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