Penn Quakers
Ivy League (24-8, 12-2)
Penn returned an experienced team for the 2017-2018 season, but they lacked consistency. That consistency arose during this season, especially in conference play when the Quakers tied atop the league standings along with Harvard with a 12-2 record. Penn faced Harvard for the third and decisive time in the conference tournament and got the best of the Crimson in a 68-65 contest.
Big Wins: 12/9 at Dayton (78-70), 1/27 St. Joseph’s (67-56), 3/11 vs Harvard (68-65)
Bad Losses:
Coach: Steve Donahue
Why They Can Surprise:
Penn has a balanced scoring attack and it can be tough for the opposition to prepare for a team that can attack them from every direction. Ryan Betley, a 6-5 sophomore, is the team’s most dynamic scorer. He averages 14.5 points per game and can shoot the ball from deep or use his large frame to attack the basket. Caleb Wood is the other consistent and dangerous outside shooter on the team. Darnell Foreman has struggled with his outside shot, but he is at least a threat to shoot so his defender has to guard him beyond the arc. That is when Foreman will use his speed and attack the basket. The interior scoring threat is AJ Brodeur. The 6-8 sophomore averages 13.1 points and 7.1 rebounds
Why They Can Disappoint:
The offense often has to work for their points. There are not many easy buckets coming off offensive rebounds or turnovers. This is an offense that can do plenty of scoring in the half-court, but if the shots are not falling, Penn can have trouble putting points on the board. That is even more the case because Penn is not a very good free-throw shooting team. Betley and Foreman are decent from the line and they get there the most, but every point is important in the NCAA Tournament.
Probable Starters:
Darnell Foreman, Senior, Guard, 10.6 ppg, 3.6 apg, 4.5 rpg
Antonio Woods, Junior, Guard, 7.6 ppg, 2.1 apg
Ryan Betley, Sophomore, Guard, 14.5 ppg, 1.3 apg, 5.0 rpg
AJ Brodeur, Sophomore, Forward, 13.1 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.2 bpg
Max Rothschild, Junior, Forward, 7.8 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.3 apg
Key Role Players:
Caleb Wood, Senior, Guard, 10.1 ppg
Jackson Donahue, Junior, Guard, 3.8 ppg
Devon Goodman, Sophomore, Guard, 4.1 ppg, 1.4 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.6 (93rd in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.2 (96, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.8 (121, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.6 (53, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.8 (74, 3)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.8 (187, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 65.6 (329, 8)
Rebound Margin: 1.3 (145, 2)
Assists Per Game: 15.6 (58, 3)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.9 (75, 2)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2012 CBI First Round win over Quinnipiac
2012 CBI Quarterfinal loss to Butler
2007 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Texas A&M
2006 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Texas
2005 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Boston College
2003 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Oklahoma State
2002 NCAA Round of 64 loss to California
*all team stats through 3/4
