Heading into a New Year’s Eve showdown against Big 5 rival Villanova, the Penn men's basketball team seemed to be setting its rotation for Ivy League play, which begins in four weeks
That rotation took a big hit when freshman Michael Kach informed Penn coach Fran Dunphy that he was leaving the team.
Kach was the only Quakers freshman to provide any significant impact so far this season. In six games for Penn, the Carmel, N.Y., native was averaging 13.2 minutes, 3.7 points and one rebound per contest. He had become the first guard off the bench in the Quakers’ three-guard system.
Kach told Dunphy during the finals period that he no longer had the same fire or overwhelming passion to play the game. The freshman did not want to let his teammates down by not putting his entire heart into the team, so he opted to leave the program.
“I respected [his decision] and we will support it in any way we can,” Dunphy said.
“I don’t know if I agree with his decision,” the coach added.
Kach appeared as though he would provide a nice complement to Penn’s band of sophomores: Ibby Jaaber, Ryan Pettinella, Mark Zoller and Steve Danley. However his departure quickly nixed any possibility that the five could play together during the next two and a half seasons.
Kach was receiving a large amount of playing time for a freshman and it seemed unlikely to his coach that his situation on the court would have led to his departure.
“He was playing a significant role with the team so the only thing I can think is more of a personal issue than a basketball issue,” Dunphy said.
Dunphy expects to replace Kach’s minutes with a mixture of freshmen David Whitehurst and junior Friedrich Ebede but noted that Ebede will see most of the minutes left in the wake of Kach’s departure. Penn’s coach also said senior Eric Heil may see additional playing time. The trio has only logged a total of 81 minutes through seven games; Kach alone had 79.
The Quakers hope that Ebede can provide the same spark off the bench and respite for starters that Kach and Zoller have so far. Dunphy pointed to Ebede’s performance during the Quakers’ last game against Temple, in which Kach did not play, as evidence that Ebede can step in and play well. In that game, Ebede hit a clutch three-pointer, grabbed an important rebound and wowed the crowd with a dunk during the first half of the Owls’ 52-51 victory.
Although Dunphy expressed confidence in Ebede, he said the junior must continue to improve.
“He needs to improve on the consistency of his play, and if he could bring better defense and more rebounding that would be great as well,” Dunphy said.
Kach could not be reached for comment, but his departure from the team appears permanent for now.
Dunphy left the door open for a return.
“It’s disappointing that we won’t have Mike, but it is what it is and we’ll move on,” Dunphy said. “He’s a member of our family … if things change we can certainly sit down and discuss the issues and decide whatever would be best for Mike.”
The team has had several weeks to prepare for the remainder of the season — Penn has not played a game in 23 days — and has also had time to integrate new players into the regular rotation in place of Kach. Dunphy believes the bigger issue will be shaking off the rust from the long layoff, not playing without Kach.
The Red and Blue will play its next three games on the road as the Quakers follow up their trip to Villanova with engagements at San Francisco and at Illinois-Chicago.
