Overshadowed, Penn forwards look to contribute

Through the years the names associated with the Penn teams have been those of guards: Jerome Allen, Matt Maloney, and Ira Bowman. While Penn has always received solid performances from its front three players, the spotlight has shone most brightly on the backcourt positions. "Without a doubt this is a guard-oriented offense," Penn forward George Mboya said. "The overall system is created for guards, and we have talented guards now, so there is no reason to change that." Senior captain Jamie Lyren and returning starter Garret Kreitz both reside in the backcourt. Throw in the hype surrounding freshmen Michael Jordan and Matt Langel, and it is easy to see why Penn's big men could go unnoticed. Yet things could be different with this year's deep and talented, but inexperienced front court. The starting roles will be filled by Romanczuk and Rice transfer Mboya. When asked who will be the starting center would be, Penn coach Fran Dunphy responded with a question of his own, "What is a center?" Penn's style is not conducive to the typical low-post, back-to-the-basket center. When the Quakers need an imposing presence in the paint, it will call upon 6-11 freshman Geoff Owens. Sophomore Jed Ryan will be called upon to provide an outside option off the bench. To fill out the rotation, sophomore guard Frank Brown may play some minutes at forward as Penn goes to a quick lineup. Romanczuk is the most experienced of the frontcourt players after starting fifteen games last year. After a slow start, he found a role in the Penn rotation and finished with averages of 6.2 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Romanczuk's progress was dealt a huge setback when he sustained ligament damage in his wrist while playing basketball. Yet despite missing all of practice so far, he is still eagerly anticipating the start of the season. "I'm coming into this year a lot more confident," Romanczuk said. "When I first came here I started off with some doubts, but I know now I can compete at this level." Like most of the returning players on Penn's team, Romanczuk will have to assume more responsibilities this year on the court. Last season he primarily was called upon to rebound and play defense, while picking up the occasional garbage basket. Dunphy sees Romanczuk scoring more this season, and expanding his game-shooting range out to 15 feet. "I'll do whatever the team needs me to do," Romanczuk said. "One night I might need to step inside and score a lot, or another night I might need to grab ten rebounds. I just have to recognize what I need to do." A lot is being expected right away from Mboya, an honorable mention All-American in high school who played one season at Rice before transferring to Penn. Mboya is more athletic than the typical Ivy League player, and Dunphy is looking to him to be a tenacious rebounder on both ends of the court. "I'm one of the stronger players on the team," Mboya said, "so I'm trying to provide a physical presence on the court, whether its by rebounding or going after loose balls. I can help out by doing the things that can't be coached." Mboya will also be asked to score a lot in the post, but at the same time he will have to create plays for the Quakers. So far he has been a marked man in practice, often commanding a double team very quickly. Yet Mboya is more than happy passing the ball back out to one of Penn's sharp shooters for an open three pointer. The addition of Owens to the rotation provides Dunphy with some very interesting options. He has never had a player with Owen's size before, yet the freshman's style of play may be very reminiscent of a certain Quaker who still frequents the Palestra's courts. "A lot of people have compared me to Krug," Owens said. "I guess its fairly accurate in terms of defense and shot-blocking ability, and my jump shot is okay." Owens does not have the typical game one might expect from someone who stands almost seven feet. He is comfortable going to the perimeter and taking the 17-foot jumper, which is almost a requirement for big men in Penn's offensive scheme. At the same time he packs only 210 pounds onto his frame, so there is concern he will be knocked around inside. Yet in high school Owens adapted his playing style to make up for his lack of mass. "Instead of playing games with the opposition," Owens said, "I try to be physical right from the start. That way I send a message that he just can't push me around all game." Dunphy's other main option off the bench will be Ryan, who saw action in nineteen games as a freshman. Ryan is more of shooter whose greatest asset is his ability to extend the defense. Yet he has worked hard to improve his all-around game as he tries to gain more minutes in this year's lineup. "Ryan is more of a perimeter player," Dunphy said. "But he has worked hard on his upper body strength so he can have more of an inside game." While Jeff Goldstein, Mike Koller, Mike Melcher will all see some time up from this season, the most intriguing option for Dunphy is playing Brown at one of the forward spots. If the Quakers are up against a smaller, faster opponent, Dunphy might go with what will essentially be a four-guard lineup as Brown moves from shooting guard to one of the forward spots. "The two positions are basically interchangeable," Brown said. "Both are primarily perimeter positions, and I'm not in the low post too much. The only difference is I'll probably be rebounding more." While the forwards this year are not as experienced, Dunphy believes they can eventually be similar to the Shawn Trice, Eric Moore, Andy Baratta, Tim Krug lineup Penn enjoyed a few years back. If the front court helps lead the Quakers to the Ivy league title just as that group did, the forwards will not have to worry about being unappreciated any more.