Dragons off to see Cali and Cal

We've been playing pretty well as of late. After losing three straight close games to start the year, we are now even at 5-5. Last week we got a big win against Northeastern in our conference opener. Last year they scored at the buzzer to beat us, but this year we were able to come away with a two-point win. On Sunday, our defense played well again as we set the school record by allowing only nine points in the first half in our win against St. Francis. Samme Givens had one of his best games ever with 24 points and 16 boards to lead us to the win.

Now that finals are past us, we are getting ready for a tough week ahead. For the first time since I took over at Drexel, we are heading to the West Coast. We play Cal State Northridge, one of the top teams year in and year out in the Big West, on Friday night. It will be a challenge with the long flight, the time change and for some of our guys it will be their first time ever in California. Our guys have to realize that it's all right to have fun while we are out there, but that this is a business trip and we are going out there to win a basketball game.

After the Northridge game we are getting on a plane and flying to Kentucky. On Monday night, we face Cal and the Wildcats, who are ranked third in the country. Everyone knows how talented John Wall, Patrick Patterson and the rest of that team is. I just want our guys to not be star struck by those guys and realize that a few teams have almost knocked them off this year. Playing in Rupp Arena should be a great experience for our guys and we'll give it our best shot and see what happens.