Season Preview - Penn Quakers

Projected Finish: 2nd Place

Last Season Conference Record: 8-6 (3rd)
Last Season Overall: 13-18 (.419)
RPI Last 5 years 121-57-98-88-261

Review & Outlook:

After winning three straight Ivy League titles, the Quakers slipped to third place last season, and finished under .500 overall. Head Coach Glen Miller has the coaching know-how to turn X’s and O’s into W’s, but the question remains if his 5 freshman recruits have the ability to execute them. 2007’s Ivy Rookie of the Year utility man Tyler Bernardini will lead the way, along with fellow sophomores Eggleston and Gaines. All three benefited from tons of minutes in their freshman seasons, averaging 12, 8, and 7pts per game respectively. Bernardini and Eggleston, along with freshman Rosen, Loughery, and Belcore, stayed up in Philly working their games all summer, and should be ready for increased roles this season.

Watch for Senior forward Tommy McMahon and Junior guard Darren Smith to make positive contributions after returning from serious injuries last year (hip surgery and broken kneecap). However, early indications are that the injury bug is plaguing Penn again this year, with Aron Cohen, Andreas Schreiber and Justin Reilly all also sitting out practices.

One area that Penn will have to improve upon is their defense. Starting 3 freshman for a majority of the season resulted in opponents shooting a league best/worst %%% against them. Maybe the new parquet floor in the Palestra will give them some extra spring in their step.

The Quakers have the only legitimate shot at challenging Cornell for a ticket to the big dance. It’s going to be tough, and they will need to stay healthy, mesh as a unit, and get a little help along the way from one or two of Cornell’s opponents.

BACKCOURT: B
BENCH/DEPTH: A-
FRONTCOURT: C
INTANGIBLES: B+

Starters Returning:
Tyler Bernardini, So., F, 6-6, 205 12.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg
Jack Eggleston, So., F, 6-8, 215 8.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.2 apg
Harrison Gaines, So., G, 6-0, 170 6.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.6 apg
Andreas Schreiber, Jr., C, 6-9, 245 5.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.9 bpg
Starters Lost:
Brian Grandieri, F, 6-4, 210 13.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.2 apg
Others Lost:
Michael Kach, Sr
Joe Gill, Sr

Projected Starting Lineup:

PG: Zack Rosen 6′1 Fr.
SG: Harrison Gaines, So
SF: Tyler Bernardini, So
PF: Jack Eggleston. So
C: Andreas Schreiber, Jr (Injured/Out for first few weeks)

Key Reserves:
Kevin Egee, Sr

Digging a little deeper

Strengths:
• Small, athletic, good shooting all-around team.
• Promising freshman class, some of which should make an immediate impact.
• Miller will use a deep and talented bench rotating in 10+ players to keep defensive intensity at the highest levels in the league

Weaknesses:
• Not much size or presence in the backcourt
• In true Glen Miller recruiting fashion, the Quakers graduated 3, and brought in 5. A 19 man roster is too deep, and it’s is sure to create a little tension. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few guys leave the team midseason.

Key Factors:
• In their ideal scenario, the Quakers are starting 3 sophomores. In reality, they will likely give the nod to 1 or 2 freshman before conference play begins. The success of this season lays in the lap of kids with little to no D1 experience.
• The injury bug is hitting the Quakers already, before they have even played a single game. In a league where every game is a playoff game, can they stay healthy for 14 straight games?
• Andreas Schreiber in the middle needs to be more consistent than last year

Incoming Class:
• Zack Rosen - 6′1 point guard, best bet to contribute right away
• Mike Howlett - 6-9 center, will get immediate time in the paint defending conference bigmen
• Larry Loughery - 6-6 forward
• Rob Belcore - 6-6 forward
• Garvin Hunt - 6′10 center, will need time to develop

Penn Roster

Read More