Big Five Preview: Penn

Today we preview the Penn Quakers, from the Ivy League.

The Basic Information

Conference: Ivy League
Last Season: 13-18 (8-6 in Ivy League)
Post Season: N/A

The Names

Head Coach: Glen Miller (128-126 overall, 35-27 at Penn)
Key Player: Tyler Bernardini

Outlook

The 2008-2009 season looks to be one where the Quakers start some rebuilding and laying the foundation with a younger core of players. Only one starter departs from last season. The three top returning players are all sophomores this season, with Bernardini leading the way following his Ivy League Rookie of the Year season last year.

Jack Eggleston and Harrison Gaines are the other two top returning players that will help Penn work the ball. Behind those players is what is regarded as the best freshman class in the Ivy League. A name to keep an eye on is Zack Rosen, a point guard. Rosen could push Gaines for playing time.

Harrison Gaines highlights. I realize there is no audio.

Penn may be young but they are still a team to be reckoned with in the Ivy League. Cornell is the favorite to repeat as champions in the academic heavy league, but Penn is a favorite to finish in second so expect Penn to be in the mix all season long.

The Schedule

Penn will play anybody anywhere. Playing in the Ivy League it is likely that the only way the Quakers sniff the NCAA tournament is by winning the league crown. The Ivy League has never sent an at-large team to the NCAA tournament, so if Penn does not win the Ivy they will have to win practically every game out of conference, which does not look too promising.

The season gets underway this Saturday in Chapel Hill, North Carolina to face the North Carolina Tar Heels, the preseason national champion favorite by many. Aside from the Big Five games Penn will play they will also play their neighbors, Drexel, and other winnable games against Monmouth, Penn State, NJIT, and Navy. The Quakers will also take part in the University of Central Florida Classic (what exactly defines a "classic" these days?), facing the host school (UCF from Conference USA) in the opening game, followed by either the consolation game or the championship game the following day against Campell or Chicago State.

Big Five Outlook

Penn looks to be at the bottom looking up this year in the Big Five, battling LaSalle for fourth place. The Quakers will face Villanova, Temple and St. Joe's at The Palestra. LaSalle is the only game to be played away from the historic venue. Interestingly enough is that both Penn and St. Joe's mark their meeting at The Palestra as a home game on their respective schedules. If you did not know, the Hawks are playing their homes games at The Palestra this season while their home court is under renovation.

Penn will keep their games close with traditional Ivy League play styles, but the likes of Villanova, Temple, and St. Joe's should prevail this season when all is said and done.

Blogosphere

The Buzz
IvyGate (Ivy League blog)
Penn Quakers Basketball Fanatics (CBS Sportsline community)

Coming Up