
It was an up and down week in the City 6, as Villanova recovered from their first loss a week ago, but Temple suffered one major loss (and it wasn't a game). With that said, let's dive into this week's City 6 Rankings.
Rank (Record; Previous Ranking)
6. Drexel (3-12; 6)
Drexel finally brought a seven-game losing streak to an end this week with a 14-point win over Towson on the road. The Dragons followed that up with a road loss to UNCW Saturday by just seven.
The Dragons are what they are at this point, and Bruiser Flint will be forced to keep trotting out his inexperienced roster, which has been ravaged by injuries, for the remainder of the year.
This is your warning Penn, Drexel could pass you in next week's rankings if things go the Dragons' way.
5. Penn (3-8; 5)
Penn dropped their only game of the week, a four-point loss in a matchup against Princeton to kickoff Ivy League play.
The Quakers will step out of the Ivy League twice this week, first in a very winnable game against Niagara, but then they will run into a powerhouse in #8 Villanova.
If Penn wants to keep themselves out of the cellar of these rankings, they will need to top Niagara on the road on Tuesday.
4. Saint Joseph's (6-8; 4)
It was a rough week for Saint Joseph's, as the Hawks saw their losing streak reach four. The Hawks first fell to a mediocre Duquesne team on the road by three and followed that up with a 15-point loss to #20 VCU on Saturday.
Things are likely to only get tougher for the Hawks in conference play, and they will need someone other than DeAndre' Bembry to step up occasionally. But, they do have a very winnable game this week when Fordham visits Hagan Arena.
3. La Salle (9-7; 3)
La Salle had a bit of an up and down week. The Explorers started the week off with a home loss against a decent UMass squad, but then rebounded nicely to hand George Washington just their fourth loss of the season.
The Explorers led the whole game against GW, and appear to be finding their groove a bit more of late.
2. Temple (12-5; 2)
After kicking off the week with a win over Tulane on the road, Temple suffered two losses on Saturday afternoon.
The Owls would wind up losing to Tulsa to fall out of the lead in the AAC, but what was more painful for Temple is who they lost during the game: Will Cummings.
Cummings was fouled hard in the early minutes of the second half of the Tulsa game and left the game with what was later announced as a strained muscle in his lower left leg.
Cummings is the veteran leader of this Owls squad as well as its heart and soul, as evidenced by Temple's implosion following his exit. The Owls will need to hope Cummings heals quickly, as they have some tough games in the near future, including matchups with SMU and Cincinnati this week.
1. Villanova (15-1; 1)
The Wildcats returned to their winning ways this week, first with an 18-point win over #24 St. John's on the road and then with a 17-point win over DePaul at home.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Villanova has ridiculous depth and experience. They rebounded nicely from a loss last week against Seton Hall in overtime and continue to prove they belong in the discussion among the nation's top teams.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
6. Drexel (3-12; 6)
Drexel finally brought a seven-game losing streak to an end this week with a 14-point win over Towson on the road. The Dragons followed that up with a road loss to UNCW Saturday by just seven.
The Dragons are what they are at this point, and Bruiser Flint will be forced to keep trotting out his inexperienced roster, which has been ravaged by injuries, for the remainder of the year.
This is your warning Penn, Drexel could pass you in next week's rankings if things go the Dragons' way.
5. Penn (3-8; 5)
Penn dropped their only game of the week, a four-point loss in a matchup against Princeton to kickoff Ivy League play.
The Quakers will step out of the Ivy League twice this week, first in a very winnable game against Niagara, but then they will run into a powerhouse in #8 Villanova.
If Penn wants to keep themselves out of the cellar of these rankings, they will need to top Niagara on the road on Tuesday.
4. Saint Joseph's (6-8; 4)
It was a rough week for Saint Joseph's, as the Hawks saw their losing streak reach four. The Hawks first fell to a mediocre Duquesne team on the road by three and followed that up with a 15-point loss to #20 VCU on Saturday.
Things are likely to only get tougher for the Hawks in conference play, and they will need someone other than DeAndre' Bembry to step up occasionally. But, they do have a very winnable game this week when Fordham visits Hagan Arena.
3. La Salle (9-7; 3)
La Salle had a bit of an up and down week. The Explorers started the week off with a home loss against a decent UMass squad, but then rebounded nicely to hand George Washington just their fourth loss of the season.
The Explorers led the whole game against GW, and appear to be finding their groove a bit more of late.
2. Temple (12-5; 2)
After kicking off the week with a win over Tulane on the road, Temple suffered two losses on Saturday afternoon.
The Owls would wind up losing to Tulsa to fall out of the lead in the AAC, but what was more painful for Temple is who they lost during the game: Will Cummings.
Cummings was fouled hard in the early minutes of the second half of the Tulsa game and left the game with what was later announced as a strained muscle in his lower left leg.
Cummings is the veteran leader of this Owls squad as well as its heart and soul, as evidenced by Temple's implosion following his exit. The Owls will need to hope Cummings heals quickly, as they have some tough games in the near future, including matchups with SMU and Cincinnati this week.
1. Villanova (15-1; 1)
The Wildcats returned to their winning ways this week, first with an 18-point win over #24 St. John's on the road and then with a 17-point win over DePaul at home.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, Villanova has ridiculous depth and experience. They rebounded nicely from a loss last week against Seton Hall in overtime and continue to prove they belong in the discussion among the nation's top teams.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat