COLUMN: Owens in center, Krug in Princeton

Kent Malmros, Commentary One highly touted center, a Philadelphia star, left his home turf to go play basketball at Princeton. Four years ago, it was Steve Goodrich. Last week it was Chris Krug. Goodrich proved his influence on the course of Ivy League history, leading Princeton into national prominence. Some expect Krug to do the same. But in both cases, the Penn men's basketball team lost a middle man of the future. But while last week's announcement that Krug would pursue a basketball career in Old Nassau was big news for many, it overshadowed a far more important announcement made just days before. Penn sophomore Geoff Owens was cleared to begin his hoops career as a Quaker for the second time. After missing a season due to a heart ailment, the 6'11" center was finally allowed to run the court. While many were disappointed by the Krug decision, including Chris' mother Patricia, the Owens situation is far more important to the immediate future of Penn's basketball team -- and maybe even more so in the long run than the Krug decision. Just like Goodrich, Timmy Krug's little brother may beat us four years down the road. But next year, Owens' return can ensure that the 6'9" Princeton center will have far less impact on the Ivy League than Big Geoff. Factor One: Owens is 6'11". Let's repeat that -- Owens is 6'11". That is a legitimate size for a center in not only the Ivy Leagues, but the rest of Division I men's basketball. Factor Two: Krug is 6'9", and he wants to play point-center. He wants to be Penn point man Michael Jordan from the pivot. That could not and would not help the Penn basketball team next season, or even in two seasons. Factor Three: A legitimate center like Owens, who set the rookie record for blocks in a season by a Quaker with 40, is an undeniable presence down low that changes the entire dynamics of the 1998-99 Penn squad. All of a sudden, Paul Romanczuk at 6'8" is a power forward again, instead of attempting to guard men one, two or three inches taller than him. In the same light, forward Jed Ryan will be freed up to play a more natural three slot. At 6'7", Ryan will be among the bigger small forwards in the Ivies, and his three-point shooting game becomes more suitable to the position. Matt Langel all of a sudden becomes a 6'5" two guard with the graduation of Garett Kreitz. He will have no problems posting up the likes of Harvard's Mike Beam, at 6'2", or any other two in the league -- when he isn't hitting from the outside. Krug would not give that luxury to the Quakers' offense. Sure, Penn coach Fran Dunphy would love to have both Owens come back and Krug commit to Penn in the same week. That's a damn good week. But the fact remains: the more important news was the return of Owens. For Dunphy, that means no more questions about playing oversized opponents and having no low post game. Krug, at just over 200 pounds -- after a nine course meal and a shower -- provides no inside force. Granted, Owens is no muscle mass, but word on the street is that the year off was spent getting stronger and polishing skills. With Owens, the Quakers can win the Ivy League next year. There are still rumblings about the future and the recruiting disappointments of this year. In Krug they lost the number one recruit, and Dan Solomito wasn't contemplating the choice between going to Penn or foregoing his college eligibility to enter the NBA draft. But with a center, all of a sudden Solomito can focus on playing a pure forward position and demonstrate the same rebounding prowess he did in high school (15 rebounds per game last season). Even if Chris Young, the Texas native who has yet to decide between Penn, Princeton, Boston College and Vanderbilt, doesn't come to Philly, Penn has a center. If he does come, the 6'10" Young would be great insurance for Owens. If Young came here, the prospects could be even more frightening. With three years of eligibility left for Owens, the prospect of a 6'11" center and a 6'10" power forward would be enough to make opponents cringe. Nonetheless, if no other recruit decides to go the route of a Penn education, this is not the crucial year for Dunphy and company to recruit. After the '98-'99 campaign, Romanczuk, Ryan and George Mboya will all depart from the Quakers front court. Freshman forwards will be eager to come to a team full of opportunities and minutes to spread out under the boards. Owens is the one player in the picture that can change the chemistry of the Quakers next year. He's back. Krug's in New Jersey. They'll settle it in the low post.