IOWA CITY, Iowa — “I think the most important thing about him is that he has no panic in his game. He just plays no matter what kind of situation he’s placed in, be it zone or man-to-man, fast or slow, anything.”
This quote came directly after Iowa’s 86-55 destruction of the Penn men’s basketball team on Friday night in Iowa City. And based on the nature of the statement and context of the game, it’s pretty clear that “he” doesn’t play for Penn.
No, that quote was Iowa coach Fran McCaffery’s way of describing sophomore Jarrod Uthoff. The second-year man had just finished picking apart the Quakers with 19 points on six-for-seven shooting off the bench to earn such a praise from the Hawkeyes’ leading man.
Essentially, McCaffery described Uthoff as a player who can adapt, a forward who can handle himself regardless of his surroundings.
Unfortunately, just four games into the 2013-14 campaign, it’s becoming painfully clear that Penn has no player worthy of being called adaptable.
By no means does Jerome Allen deserve to be excused for the Red and Blue’s dismal performance on Friday night in Iowa City.
But, for the time being, the Quakers’ biggest problem doesn’t lie with Penn coach Jerome Allen. It lies within the players themselves.
Jerome Allen does not have to adjust to the NCAA’s new hand-check rules. Jerome Allen does not have to go out onto the court and put a body on the opposition, drive his man back and box out for a rebound.
Allen’s time playing the game of basketball has come and gone. In order for Penn to solve its biggest woes from this season thus far, his players need to take it upon themselves to become more adaptable.
On Friday, an incredibly talented and well-coached No. 25 Iowa team switched defenses on the Quakers. The Hawkeyes pressed in the open court, forced turnovers and rattled Penn’s big men.
Of course, pressure is both expected and understandable. Basketball is incredibly difficult at the collegiate level, and the easy response to tension is to sit back and launch three-pointers.
But 23 three-point attempts? Talk about mailing in a game.
Granted, Allen had the Quakers alternate defenses depending on the outcome of the offensive possession. But other than causing a little havoc by switching between zone and man-to-man defense, Iowa spent the whole night playing relatively comfortable basketball.
In light of that comfort, one has to ask — where’s the fire in these Quakers? Where is their pride? Where’s the dynamic athleticism?
Once again, we saw a Penn team get manhandled on the glass. By halftime, the damage was done with Iowa leading, 48-27, and the Hawkeyes’ 13 offensive rebounds, combined with 17 forced turnovers, won the game for the home team.
If there’s no change in the fortitude of this team by the time Ivy League play rolls around, I don’t think Jerome Allen should be fired. The players who haven’t lived up to their end of the bargain should pay the price.
Midway through the first half of Friday’s game, Penn’s Julian Harrell dove on the floor to save a loose ball. He got a timeout call and kept possession for the Quakers. McCaffery was infuriated.
Heading into the timeout, McCaffery shouted at any official who would listen. The Hawkeyes boss lashed out, the color level in his face slowly darkening.
At the time, Iowa was only up two and had been sluggish from the start. Having seen their coach respond to the challenge of the moment, the high-octane Hawkeyes hit the ground running and went on a 33-12 run to close the half.
“Sometimes, you just have to cope with what teams throw at you,” McCaffery said.
On Friday, Iowa’s coach, his team and his unsung hero off the bench all adapted to what Penn dished out.
Now’s the time for someone on the Quakers’ side to learn to do the same thing.
SEE ALSO
Remembering Penn basketball | former DP editor Mike Wisniewski
Hawkeyes destroy Penn basketball in Iowa, 86-55
Penn men’s hoops heads to Midwest to take on undefeated Hawkeyes
Tydings | 2013-14 Penn basketball too similar to last year’s frustrating season
Three Up, Three Down | Beating Iowa will be tall order for Penn basketball
Ivy Basketball Roundup: November 21st
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