The Postgame Scout: Penn Follows Game Plan to Dispatch URI And Head Home for Holiday

PHILADELPHIA - Penn goes home for the holiday knowing that they executed a game plan that successfully controlled most of the URI game here at The Palestra.

 

The Quakers opened in a full court containing press and fell back into a 2-3 zone. 

 URI methodically broke the pressure.  

Once over half court URI reversed and skipped the ball looking to get the ball to the high post.   If received in the post, the Rams automatically looked for the high/ low pass.  

 

Penn was ready for URI preferred passes and managed to steal the ball 16 times scoring 21 points off of turnovers.

 

Despite being zoned by URI, the Quaker managed to establish a strong inside presence.  Perimeter ball movement and deadly 3 point shooting opened up passing lanes to well positioned posts inside.  

 

Penn scored inside and out vs. URI’s zone.  URI never put much pressure on the Quakers.  And the Quakers were able to take their time on offense and find the open player.  They did not force shots and played to each other strengths.

 

Penn did struggle recognizing and adjusting to URI’s switch from a zone press to full court man to man.  Penn had several turnovers down the stretch against a more aggressive Ram defense. 

 

Penn is very effective if they are allowed to “window shop” on offense.   They are strong inside.  

They will find the shooters and crash the boards  (19 offensive rebounds). Defensively, the Quakers are solid.  They communicate, anticipate and rebound.