In the late 90’s, it was Temple. In 2004, it was St. Joseph’s. In 2009, it was
Villanova.

2013 now belongs to La Salle University.

The city of Philadelphia’s renowned Big-5 schools for college basketball is
buzzing with anticipation for Thursday night’s Sweet 16 matchup in the NCAA
Tournament between the #13 seeded La Salle Explorers and #9 seeded Wichita
State Shockers in Los Angeles, California at the Staples Center.

La Salle’s group of high-energy players vocalized California beats in the
locker room after their thrilling win Sunday evening against #12 seeded Ole
Mississippi. It’s the first time in 58 years La Salle has made it this deep into the
NCAA Tournament. That was 1955; the year La Salle lost the National
Championship game to the University of San Francisco. And there were only 24
total entrants into the big dance.

La Salle is a school not ready to relinquish the dream. Not yet. And with
their relevancy basically fading since the 1950’s, the Explorers led by Coach Dr.
John Giannini, who pushed for a tournament run just a year ago but was denied by
the selection committee. Now, a mix of a few seniors (Ramon Galloway and
Garvin Hunt) alongside clutch guard, junior Tyrone Garland (scoring the winning
bucket on Sunday) wish to prove doubters wrong by becoming only the fifth #13
seed to reach the Sweet 16.

Times have changed certainly but the level of rising hype escalates every
year when an unexpected school turns heads. La Salle now must face a well-
groomed Wichita State squad with a few hungry and intimidating seniors in
rebounder Carl Hall at forward, a quarterback-like guard in Malcolm Armstead,
and 7-foot center Ehrimen Orukpe.