palestra38
Professor
Posts: 32886
Reg: 11-21-04
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01-06-06 06:51 PM - Post#13061
In response to pennhoops
It's still soooo early to compare this team to the U/Koko/Toole team, and nothing has been accomplished yet. However, at this point, this is a MUCH better defensive team---almost at every position. Say what you will about U as an offensive player and talent, he simply did not bring much D on a regular basis. I remember him being eaten alive by the Drexel forward (Battle?) who was about the same size. Similarly, Koko could block shots but didn't stop many people from getting to the hoop. Toole was a fine offensive player, but was limited (especially due to injuries) on defense.
This team lives and dies with "D". It also boxes out well, steals the ball at a clip never seen before at Penn and plays good fundamental hoop. It does not shoot particularly well to date, but Whitehurst is just rounding into shape.
The very fact that we are comparing this team with a 2 time Ivy champ, however, is telling in a weak Ivy season. I see Penn losing at most 2 games, and just as likely, 0. Thus, I see the season as follows:
Penn 13-1
Harvard 10-4
Yale 8-6
Cornell 7-7
Brown 7-7
Columbia 6-8
Princeton 5-9
Columbia 4-10
Dartmouth 3-11
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