Off The Boards By Jack Scheuer – December 9, 2015 Edition

In the long history of the Big 5, which began in 1955-56, it has never produced a player who led the nation in scoring. While realizing the season has a long way to go, La Salle’s Jordan Price is averaging 25.9 points per game,  which ranks him second nationally behind Howard’s James Daniel III at 28.7.  Should he stay healthy, Price figures to be among the leaders at season’s end.  At 6′ 5″, 220, the junior transfer from Auburn has dropped 20 pounds since last year, giving him much more mobility to go along with his excellent outside shooting.  Also, he seems to  have noticeably improved his shot selection.  The only other players from Philadelphia schools to be the top scorer in the country were Saint Joe’s Paul Senesky in 1943, Paul Arizin, from Villanova, in 1950, and the Owl without a Vowel, Temple’s Bill Mlkvy in 1951. Hard to believe that with all of the great players who have played in the Big 5, there has never been a scoring leader.

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Despite its bad start, Drexel’s much-needed win over should help the Dragons mental state, and with players like Tavon Allen and freshman point guard Terrell Allen, things could get better.  The senior Allen is a real scoring threat, and Terrell, a DeMatha product, shows  a great deal of poise to go along with his talent.  Drexel doesn’t play until a tough game at South Carolina on Dec.15, but if it stays healthy, could surprise some CAA opponents.

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Nice win last night for Saint Joe’s over a young Princeton team who can cause trouble in the Ivy League.  DeAndre’ Bembry had a big night.  The Hawks also had a productive night from James Demery, who looks much more assertive this season.

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Trivia Time: Who is the last Temple player to have a triple double?  Hint: It happened within the last 25 years. Answer at the end of the column…

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I know how tough it is to turn down the money, but you have to wonder if Tyus Jones feels like he should have stayed at Duke for another year.  The talented point guard, chosen 24th in the draft, played only 14 minutes all season for the Timberwolves, and did not play in 17 of 19 games.  He was recently assigned to the Idaho Stampede in the Development league.  Had he remained at Duke, his presence would certainly have helped the talented Blue Devils in their bid to win another title.  In addition, he would very likely be a much higher NBA pick next season..

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This and That: Lehigh’s C.J. McCollum is having an excellent season with Portland….Traci Carter from Life Center Academy is the starting point guard for Marquette….In Temple’s loss to Wisconsin, freshmen Trey Lowe and Levan Shawn Alston, Jr. combined for 45 solid minutes with neither committing a turnover…Doug  McDermott’s play with Chicago is making a lot of his detractors look bad…. Lots of  City Series action coming up: Temple at Penn tonight, then on Sunday, St.Joe’s visits Temple, and La Salle travels to Villanova.  Might not be a good time for the Explorers to hit the Main Line after Jay Wright’s team got bombarded by Oklahoma on Monday.. .

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Answer To Trivia Time: On Jan.17,1998.  Pepe Sanchez had 10 points,10,assists ,and 10 rebounds against La Salle.