Schiffner proves he can be main option for Penn

Senior guard Jeff Schiffner silenced any doubts regarding his ability to create his own shot on Friday night against Wisconsin.

Primarily a three-point threat last year, Schiffner displayed an expanded repertoire in the 64-53 loss to Wisconsin.

Last season, the starting shooting guard attempted only 46 two-point field goals, making just 15.

In sharp contrast, he attempted 150 three-point field goals, making 74 -- the best percentage in the nation.

On Friday, Schiffner's shot selection changed markedly, perhaps because the Quakers will need him to shoulder more of the scoring burden without Ugonna Onyekwe, Koko Archibong and Andrew Toole.

Of his 14 shot attempts, nine were two-point field goals.

Some of this discrepancy may be a product of Wisconsin's extended man-to-man defense, which attempted to limit his three-point shot attempts.

"You try to make a guy like that work so hard," Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said.

Ryan noted that his defensive strategy was to throw different defenders at Penn's sharpshooter and hope "to wear him down."

Ryan placed several defenders on Schiffner throughout the game, including Freddie Owens, Devin Harris, Clayton Hanson and Boo Wade.

But the strategy did not succeed in stifling Penn's senior captain and only returning first team All-Ivy selection.

Now the primary scoring option, Schiffner was undaunted amidst increased defensive attention from the No. 15 team in the nation.

From the beginning, he demonstrated his ability to penetrate, pull up in the paint and finish at the hoop. The guard eluded Wisconsin's speedy defenders with some consistency.

Many believed that without Koko Archibong and Ugonna Onyekwe as inside scoring threats -- who required significant defensive attention --Schiffner would not get as many looks at the basket.

But he moved tirelessly without the ball, running off screens and creating opportunities for himself off the dribble -- a far cry from the three-point marksman of last year who practically camped out behind the arc and was often the beneficiary of double-teams on Archibong and Onyekwe.

Schiffner made seven of 14 shots and three of five from behind the arc in the contest.

He was one of only two players in double figures, while ripping down three rebounds and dishing out three assists.

Schiffner emphasized that he is willing to do whatever is needed to help Penn win.

"If I have to step up and take more shots then so be it," he said. "But we're going to do what it takes to be successful. I don't think we can say 'you have to take x amount of shots."

While many question marks surround this year's team, one of them disappeared Friday night.

Jeff Schiffner does not seem to need two potent inside scoring threats to score.

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