UPenn season preview

by Eric Schwartz

Thursday November 12, 2009 

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University of Pennsylvania

Penn is in a tough spot this year. They figure to be better than last year’s team which finished eight games under .500, but are not considered a serious threat to dethrone Cornell as Ivy League Champions. The team has a couple of nice players, but does not have that one guy who can put the team on his shoulders.

 2008-2009 Recap: IT was not a pretty year for Penn as it went 10-18 and just 6-8 in the Ivy League. Some young players emerged, but the Quakers struggled to score points al year.

Backcourt: Tyler Bernardini led the team with 13.7 ppg, though he shot just 40 percent from the field. He has scored in double digits 20 times in the last two years. Now a junior, the Quakers will need Bernardini to elevate his game even further this year. Sophomore Zach Rosen scored 8.1 ppg lat year and was voted Big 5 Freshman of the Year. His 4.96 assist average led the Ivy League.

 Frontcourt: Jack Eggleston will be the big man the Quakers will count on the most. He was good for 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds last season and got stronger as the year went on. He scored in double digits 14 times last season and was 5th in the IVY League in rebounding.

 Recruits: Junior transfer Zach Gordon will be joined by freshman Carson Sullivan, Sean Mullan and Brian Fitzpatrick on the roster. None of the freshmen are expected to make an immediate impact.

Biggest losses: Guard Harrison Gaines and his 9.9 scoring average will be missed by a team which lacks scoring options.

 Key Player(s): Darren Smith. Three years ago Smith scored 17 points twice as a freshman and figured to be a main cog for years to come. A knee-cap injury cost him the last two seasons, so he will return as a wildcard. Penn needs some unexpected contributions and Smith could be that guy.

Meanwhile, Bernardini will be counted on to win games.

 Predictions: With most of its starters back Penn should be a couple games better this year. They will be a challenge to Cornell, who was a unanimous Ivy League No.1 in a preseason media poll.

Big 5: 5th

Ivy League: 4th

Filed Under Big 5

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