Penn's biggest statistical weaknesses

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I just got back from Penn's disappointing loss at Fordham.

Despite all those fans saying that the team will run away with the Ivy title this year, tonight's game was the perfect example of how Penn can lose to any opponent -- bad shooting from beyond the three-point line, bad shooting from beyond the free-throw line (this team must have a major aversion to lines), an inability to rebound and lots of fouls.

With Penn opening Ivy play this weekend against Cornell, I decided to find out the statistical categories where Penn has struggled this season compared to the rest of the league. Granted, the Quakers have played a much tougher schedule, but the numbers are still telling.

Here's a summary:

1. Penn is horrible at shooting foul shots (I thought losing Ryan Pettinella was supposed to help our free-throw percentage). They rank last in the league and amongst the worst in the nation with their 63.9 percent shooting. Twice this year they have shot better from the field than they have from the line. Public enemy number 1? Mark Zoller, who shoots under 50 percent from the line. I guess we know which player teams will be looking to foul at the end of close games.

Silver lining: Penn shot particularly well (relative to the rest of their games) down the stretch in their comeback against Villanova, making 9 of 12 attempts. Hopefully, this means that they can get their act together in big games.

2. Penn is almost as dismal at shooting the three. The team sinsk roughly a quarter of its attempts, amongst the worst percentages in the nation and second worst in the Ivy League.

Silver lining: Unlike other Penn teams, this year's squad does not live and die by the three. They have won and competed with top competition despite their three-point woes. Shooting decently from three is no longer part of the equation in simply hanging with top teams; its now the secret to upsetting them.

3. Penn cannot rebound. The team gives up more rebounds per game than any other Ivy squad. The Quakers also rank among the worst teams in the nation in rebounding margin and offensive rebounds. This is not suprising, considering the team's lack of bigmen. But then again, how many otherr Ivy teams -- with the exception of Harvard -- have significantly more frontcourt height?

Silver lining: Hey, if Penn can outrebound Duke it can outrebound any Ivy League team.

4. Penn fouls a whole lot. The Quakers average around 20 fouls per game. That's second worst in the Ivies and amongst the worst in the nation. Think about it. We're talking double-bonus every half. Again, this isn't surprising considering Penn's lack of inside size and the strength of the team's schedule. Still, 21 fouls against Siena, 19 against Navy and 27 against Division II BYU-Hawaii (I know the referees were questionable) is just plain bad.

Silver lining: At least the team's best player -- Ibrahim Jaaber -- has cut down his fouling. Since the start of winter break, he has not committed more than three personal fouls. Penn needs Jaaber on the court if it wants to win games.