10Q
Professor
Posts: 23513
Loc: Suburban Philly
Reg: 11-21-04
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03-14-05 11:19 AM - Post#6476
Not your typical Quakers team, this year's version of the Ivy champs lacks the perimeter shooting you've come to expect but is deeper and more competent in the frontcourt than many teams that come out of this conference. Penn shrugged off a five-game losing streak during non-conference play to win 16 of its last 17 games and cruise to the league title and the automatic bid (no conference tourney) by a record-tying five-game margin. The Quakers beat Saint Joseph's and Bucknell and lost at Providence, Villanova and Wisconsin in their most notable non-conference games. Penn's best player is senior wing Tim Begley, the league player of the year who averaged 13.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 4.8 apg. Its most athletic player is sophomore guard Ibrahim Jaaber, who set a league record with 3.0 steals per game. The Quakers' tourney chances, though, may hinge on the health of senior point guard, Eric Osmundson, the team's primary ballhandler and second-best perimeter threat. He may not be available after contracting mono late in the regular season.
Will Lose When ...
Begley and Osmundson can't make things happen from the perimeter, because there's not enough punch elsewhere to make up the difference.
Famous Last Words
In a down year for the Ivy League, the Quakers are here because they did what it took after early growing pains. They'll compete and seek to control tempo, but don't have enough firepower to play Cinderella this time.
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