School's out, but M. Hoops has midterms

While classes ended last week, the men's basketball team still has plenty to learn over winter break.

"I think teams . make the most strides when getting to a point where they only have to concentrate on basketball, not school," Penn coach Glen Miller said. "Focus is at a all-time high. You can put in the extra work - you can only do so much when kids are going to school all day."

With four games in the next 33 days, the Red and Blue will have a lot of time to work out the kinks before the Ivy season.

Dec. 20, vs. Elon (3-3)

Like the Monmouth team Penn just beat, Elon has seen its ups and downs.

The Phoenix lost to Georgia by only 11 points and nearly knocked off Virginia Tech, shrinking a 14-point second-half lead to one with 12 seconds left. Yet two free-throws, followed by a Montell Watson miss from three, sealed the deal.

But the Phoenix also have showed their ugly side - managing to lose, at home, to Division II Tusculum, 74-60.

Dec. 29, at FGCU (3-6)

In the season opener last year, the Quakers eased past the then-Division II Florida Gulf Coast at the Palestra, 97-74.

This time, though, it might not be so easy against the now-Division I squad.

"People don't know much about them around here, and even last year they were a decent team," Miller said.

In the Eagles' only other home game, they gave Drexel a real fight. FGCU took the lead a few minutes into the second half and then tied it back up four minutes later before the Dragons ripped off an 18-0 run to seal the deal.

Still, FGCU has yet to beat a team that's not an NCAA bottom-dweller.

Jan. 2, at Miami (8-0)

Penn will get its third chance this season to beat an ACC opponent against the Hurricanes.

Miami has taken care of business thus far. Penn's foe has disposed of some big-time teams like Providence, St. John's and Virginia Commonwealth. Those three have gone 15-4 against teams other than Miami, but so far the Hurricanes are untouched at 8-0.

They're led by center Anthony King. He's third on the team in scoring with 10.8 points per game, and his 9.1 rebounds, 16 blocks and 28 free throws (80 percent) all are team-highs.

Jan. 5, NJIT (0-11)

There are hardly any gimmes for a team like Penn, but Jan. 5 should provide one.

New Jersey Institute of Technology hasn't even come close to winning a game, with its closest finish coming in a 67-58 decision against Army.

The Highlanders lost by 52 to Manhattan in the season opener, by 41 to Washington, by 28 to Maine and by 44 to Fordham.

Many stats don't go in their favor, including an assist-to-turnover ratio of 0.43.

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