Big 5 battle could be a bruiser

There was no hiding the blood that stained the uniforms of Villanova players Reggie Redding and Dante Cunningham in last weekend's Philly Classic championship game against Rhode Island. The red spread so quickly that both were forced to change clothes in the second half.

The blood-stained jerseys are all one needs to see to understand the intensity that runs in the Wildcats' veins.

"When it gets physical, it gets fun," said Redding, who emerged from the URI game needing four stitches above his left eye.

Quakers guard Tyler Bernardini doesn't mind the thought of getting his bright white jersey a little dirty. In fact, he welcomes it.

"You gotta want that," the sophomore and team's leading scorer said. "It's basketball."

Correction: It's Big 5 basketball.

Penn (1-4) will get its first taste of Big 5 physicality tonight at 8 p.m. in the Palestra against No. 17 Villanova (6-0).

It seems Penn coach Glen Miller, when drawing up the pre-Ivy schedule, never planned on giving his young team time to breathe. The Villanova matchup comes a little more than two weeks after the Quakers opened their season against No. 1 North Carolina, six days after facing Big Ten up-and-comers Penn State, and three days removed from running with 2006 and 2007 NCAA Tournament veteran Albany.

But as Philadelphia basketball fans have learned over the years, anything can happen in Big 5 games, especially in the Palestra. For the Quakers, the ranking matters little.

"No. 17? We'd like them to be No. 2," Miller quipped. "We've already played No. 1, why not No. 2?"

Senior guard Kevin Egee echoed his coach's sentiment.

"I want to play the top competition possible," he said.

Ask and you shall receive. The undefeated Wildcats - who made the Sweet Sixteen last year - began this season as No. 23 and have ascended the rankings since then, downing familiar Penn foes Monmouth and Albany. They also took home the hardware in last weekend's bloodstained Philly Classic at the Palestra.

The Wildcats' success is truly the product of an all-around effort. Native son Redding has drawn the most attention lately for his size and rebounding skills, as well as his ability to improve his teammates' play, which he displayed against URI. His tenacious defense will certainly add to Penn's perimeter woes.

'Nova also returns household name Scottie Reynolds. The junior guard is the team's second-leading scorer with 13.2 points per game, complementing leading scorer and inside threat Dante Cunningham. (The senior forward posted 19 points and 12 rebounds against URI.)

Though the Wildcats may have the size advantage, their penchant for getting into foul trouble early and often could mean a chance for the Quakers to prove their mettle at the line - something they've struggled with so far this season.

"Our philosophy is that you have to get paint points and win at the foul line," Miller said in reference to his team's trouble spots.

He also emphasized that unlike in years past, the Quakers will have to minimize their mistakes to prevent Villanova from converting turnovers into a points frenzy.

"We have to take care of the basketball and get the most out of every possession," he said. "This has to be a low turnover game for us."

If the Quakers can guarantee one thing, however, it will be intensity - with or without the blood stains.

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