Penn has a chance to be Ivy League spoilers
As the Ivy League season moves into its last weekend, Penn is out of contention for the championship, but not without a chance to have an impact on who wins it.
As the Ivy League season moves into its last weekend, Penn is out of contention for the championship, but not without a chance to have an impact on who wins it.
"That's like taking your sister to the prom," Quakers coach Jerome Allen said about playing the spoiler role. "You both have to go home tonight."
Friday night, the Quakers will visit Harvard, which is a half-game behind first-place Princeton. On Tuesday, Penn will host the league leaders.
Princeton is 22-5 overall and 10-1 in the Ivy. Harvard is 21-5 and 10-2.
Penn (12-13, 6-5) is trying to secure its first winning record in the Ancient Eight since going 8-6 in 2007-08. The Quakers, who also will play at Dartmouth on Saturday night, haven't won more than they lost overall since 2006-07.
With Princeton at Harvard on Saturday (after playing at Dartmouth on Friday), several scenarios could result from this weekend's action:
If Harvard and Princeton both win or both lose Friday:
A Princeton win Saturday would clinch the outright Ivy title for the Tigers.
A Harvard win Saturday would force Princeton to defeat Penn on Tuesday to necessitate a playoff.
A Harvard win Saturday, coupled with a Princeton loss at Penn on Tuesday, would give the outright Ivy title to the Crimson, and would be the first men's basketball title in the program's 100 years.
If Harvard wins Friday and Princeton loses Friday:
A Harvard win Saturday would clinch the outright Ivy title for the Crimson.
A Princeton win Saturday, coupled with a Princeton win Tuesday at Penn, would clinch the outright title for the Tigers.
A Princeton win Saturday, coupled with a Princeton loss Tuesday at Penn, would force a playoff.
If Harvard loses Friday and Princeton wins Friday:
A Princeton win either Saturday or Tuesday at Penn would clinch the outright title for the Tigers.
A Harvard win Saturday would result in a playoff only if Princeton loses at Penn on Tuesday. Harvard would not be able to have an outright title if it loses Friday and Princeton wins Friday.
The bench grows
In recent weeks, Allen has taken to using 11 players in games.
"It's a team sport," the coach said. "Guys have to contribute."
The hybrid offense
Allen, who played in the NBA as well as overseas, presented the Quakers with a blend of the styles he learned as a player.
"It's a fusion of the college game with a little bit of the NBA and Europe," Allen said. "Kids like to have fun, so I try to make the game fun. These young men are doing everything I'm asking of them, and I applaud their effort. We may not always play smart, but we play hard."