The bill hasn’t changed much from Saturday’s game: a winless Penn faces a winless Colonial Athletic Association squad at the Palestra.
After dropping a double-overtime heartbreaker to Delaware Saturday, the Quakers (0-3) will set out for redemption tonight against Drexel (0-3).
Though the Red and Blue used to count on an easy win in the battle of 33rd street — they lead the all-time series 15-6 — Drexel has won the last two meetings, once at home and once on the road.
The Dragons’ calling card has traditionally been toughness and tenacious defense, and this season is no different. Drexel has 23 steals in three contests, and enters tonight with a 132-99 edge in total rebounds over the Quakers.
The backcourt leads a balanced attack with three starting guards, Gerald Colds, Derrick Thomas and Jamie Harris, averaging 11.3, 12 and 12.3 points per game, respectively.
At the same time, big man Evan Neisler is pulling down eight boards per contest.
The former transfer from Boston College enters his senior season as a force inside. Listed at 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, Neisler will be a tough match-up for Penn’s frontcourt.
“Neisler’s a good player, athletic, crashes the glass very hard,” junior Jack Eggleston said. “You’ve got to be conscious of where he is at all times, really get a body on him and box him out and limit his effectiveness as much as possible.”
Though Eggleston broke out for a career-high 19 points Saturday, Penn’s starting front court of him, Rob Belcore and Conor Turley combined for just seven rebounds.
Meanwhile, sophomore Mike Howlett — the tallest player on the Quakers’ roster at 6-foot-9 — came off the bench to grab 14.
Penn’s offensive improvement down low will be critical to opening up shots on the perimeter.
“Any time you get the ball inside and kick it back out you really collapse the defense,” Eggleston said. “You let your shooters step in in-rhythm with their momentum going forward and the defense is collapsed and they have a much better look.”
Sophomore Zack Rosen was the benificiary of a number of those good looks Saturday and he held up his end of the bargain, posting a career-high 25 points.
“We obviously have been concentrating on getting the ball inside — pass or the dribble,” Rosen said.
“Those looks usually go down because they’re good plays versus just chucks. Driving it, kicking it, getting it in, getting it out, that definitely contributes to the kind of look you’re going to get on the floor.”
Two players that won’t be contributing in the paint are Andreas Schreiber and Tyler Bernardini. Penn coach Glen Miller confirmed that neither player will see action Tuesday as both are battling early season injuries. Yet the focus still appears to be post play and defense.
“You’ve got to find a way to control [the game] and get a high-percentage shot,” Miller said. “To be taking 50 percent of your shots as threes is a bit too much.”
The clash with Drexel will be the Quakers’ last until Dec. 4, which will allow tonight’s outcome to “marinate” for a bit, according to Eggleston.
Regardless, the Quakers will approach the game with the same mentality.
“It’s as big as it was Monday, as big as it was the day before,” Rosen said. “Every win is a win, every loss is a loss. It’s not different because there’s a ten-day layoff.
“Obviously it’d be great for those ten days to win, but it’s the same as any other night. We’re just trying to get a win.”
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