Through 12 games, men’s basketball has recorded just one win and has elicited even less on-court intrigue.
That victory came against a lowly Maryland, Baltimore County team that plays in a gym called the Retrievers Activities Center. Few outside of The Daily Pennsylvanian can testify that the win actually occurred (1,853 people were said to be in attendance).
To be frank, Penn basketball has been fairly tiresome. When the average game result is an 80-63 loss, games become highly predictable.
It’s one thing to struggle, but it’s a much deeper issue to be entirely lackluster.
In many of their losses, heading into last night’s Temple game — which looked like a sure bet to be another ‘L’ — the Quakers were exactly that.
But in a season thus far defined by former coach Glen Miller’s shortcomings, the bout with the Owls provided a moment of energy, emotion and intrigue.
Growing up just outside of Northeast Philadelphia, I heard so much about the aura of Big 5 basketball games: the tough city teams scratching and clawing for a win, the “records and talent don’t matter” phenomenon, the hostile crowds packed into a boiling arena, and the entertainment it all provided.
Last night, I finally got to feel it.
It was a welcome sight for the Red and Blue to fight and hustle to keep it close like a Big 5 underdog should — as was the substantial crowd of 6,353.
Sure, Temple was athletically superior to Penn.
The 12-win disparity between the teams was enough to show that the Owls are simply better at basketball.
But it came as a surprise for Penn fans when the game remained close throughout the first half and into the second.
The atmosphere probably paled in comparison to that in which Jerome Allen was accustomed. But Allen knows that many of the current players have never played in a game with as much significance as this one.
“I’m so happy for our guys to come home in front of a decent crowd and have an opportunity to play in a Big 5 game,” Allen said.
After a long wait, there are finally highlights to tell your friends about — a pair of thunderous Dan Monckton dunks and a Justin Reilly three-pointer which capped a 12-2 run to cut the Owls’ lead to just five with 8:42 remaining, causing an eruption of noise in the stands.
The Quakers’ fire ultimately proved to be no match for Temple’s physicality and skill.
But while Penn has suffered six other double-digit defeats this season, none featured a postgame press room as packed as the one last night.
And the story surrounding this game — one of student versus teacher, reunion and hope for the revival of Big 5 tradition — added to its appeal rather than hindered it.
The black cloud that perpetual losing and coaching instability has brought about did not hover over the Penn bench Wednesday night.
It’s unclear when or whether it will return, but at least the team has restored some level of excitement.
BRIAN KOTLOFF is a sophomore communications major from Elkins Park, Pa. He can be contacted at dpsports@dailypennsylvanian.com.
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