To the Editor:
Josh Hirsch's frustration with the Quakers' 85-65 loss to Boston College in the NCAA Tournament's first round makes sense. But what I find troubling about Hirsch's argument ("Ivy hoops could use some changes," The Daily Pennsylvanian, 3/21/05) is the conclusion he comes to about the shortcomings of Penn in the opening round of the NCAAs.
Hirsch contends that only players with outstanding athletic ability can carry a team in the tournament. He then makes the mistake of stating that Penn does not possess such a commodity in 2005 Ivy League Player of the Year and Quaker senior Tim Begley. Clearly, this remark fails to hold up next to the many milestones Begley has reached over the course of his now-completed career. But even more troubling is that Hirsch overlooks the skill that makes Begley most valuable: his ability to improve the performance of his teammates by placing the Penn program before himself. If not for Begley working endlessly to stitch the fabric of his squad together after a sluggish start to the season, Penn might not have clinched its 23rd conference title and a meeting with Boston College in the NCAA bracket.
The Quakers' lopsided loss to BC comes as a consequence of many factors, most of which had to do with the Eagles' determined mindset. None had anything to do with Tim Begley's game-high 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and one turnover.
According to Hirsch, Penn would have been better off with a more "athletic" player like Brown's flashy senior guard Jason Forte, the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2004. But with a poor attitude that earned him a team-imposed suspension in November, Forte could not have put Penn, or any Ancient Eight team, in position to win the 2005 Ivy League title. In fact, Forte's self-interested play this season contributed to the Bears' seventh-place conference finish.
Penn men's basketball has no need for a player with a personality the likes of Forte's, even if it means one-and-done showings in the Tournament. The Quakers did pretty well for themselves this season without such a presence, and also in the 106 years of basketball that preceded it. What Penn does need more of are personalities like Tim Begley, which set the tone on the court and, more importantly, off it. Thanks to the lessons he imparted to the Red and Blue's rising underclassmen, the Quakers and their fans should be ready for a few more tries at the Ivy title and a great shot at that elusive NCAA Tournament upset.
Brian Seltzer
College '07
The author covers Penn basketball for WXPN-FM
