New men's basketball coach Glen Miller has yet to run an official practice, but the first-year coach has already landed his first two recruits for the Class of 2011.
First, point guard Harrison Gaines committed to the Quakers last week. Gaines is 6-foot-1, 175 pounds and plays for Serrano High School in Phelan, Calif., a school 75 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
And yesterday 6-6 guard Tyler Bernardini announced his commitment to play for Penn.
In his junior season at the Francis Parker School in San Diego, Bernardini shot 47 percent from the field, including 38 percent from behind the arc, while averaging 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds a game.
Last night, Bernardini was brimming with enthusiasm after making his decision.
"I'm so excited," he said. "I talked to almost everyone I know."
One of those people, apparently, was his Amateur Athletic Union coach, who tried to talk him out of his decision at the last minute because of interest from major conference schools like Northwestern and California.
But after visiting Penn, Bernardini said he knew it was the right choice.
"There wasn't one thing about the school [Penn] that I didn't like," he said.
Bernardini added that he was first recruited by former assistant coach Matt Langel, under the direction of former coach Fran Dunphy, who left Penn last spring to become Temple's coach after 17 years of leading the Quakers.
However, when speaking with Langel and new assistant coach Mike Martin, Bernardini was at first not interested in coming to Philadelphia.
But Martin and Miller were persistent, and their enthusiasm contributed to Bernardini's change of heart.
According to Bernardini, his biggest strengths are his versatility and shooting abilities. He says he can play any of the guard positions, but needs to improve his defense.
According to the recruiting Web site scout.com, Bernardini "is among the better shooting small forwards in the west."
On his school's athletics Web site, coach Jim Tomey says that "Tyler is our most skillful player."
Tomey could not be reached for comment yesterday.
While Miller cannot comment on specific recruits, he said that he is "involved with some very good prospects" and is "pleased with what we've gotten" thus far.
He emphasized that he cannot take any recruits for granted just because he's at Penn, which has for years been very successful with recruiting.
Miller also echoed Bernardini's comments about his enthusiasm to get the season going, which will begin with his team's first official practice on Friday.
"I've just really enjoyed myself and I'm really excited to get started," he said.
And so far, Miller's transition appears to be going as smoothly as possible.
Kach returns - almost
Junior guard Michael Kach left the basketball team midway through his freshman season, but this year has decided to make a comeback.
And it was going very well for the Carmel, N.Y., native, until last week.
That's when he discovered that the stress fracture in his left ankle had become a hairline fracture, which Kach said he hurt by stepping awkwardly on it two weeks ago.
The junior had surgery last Friday, where doctors inserted a screw to help the healing process.
Kach believes that he will be out six to eight weeks. Six weeks would put him out for the Quakers' first three games, while eight weeks are not over until Dec. 1, when Penn will have six contests under its belt.
Miller said that assistant coach Mike Martin had the same injury when he played for Miller at Brown, and that it took Martin eight full weeks to get back on the court.
Either way, all indications are that the athletic guard will have a big role on the Quakers when he returns.
"I was counting on him," Miller said. "I was just very pleased with his work ethic and with his passion."
Kach downplayed the significance of the injury and hopes to get back without any complications.
"I don't think it's going to be a huge deal," he said.
More injury news
Sophomore swingman Tommy McMahon, limited to 17 games last season because of a back injury, appears to be fully recovered, Miller said.
"He looks good to me I don't see any red flags on our end," Miller said.
As of now, Miller's comments puts an end to speculation that McMahon might need to redshirt a year because of his ongoing back troubles.
"A redshirt has never been discussed between Tommy and myself," Miller said.
In his limited action last season, McMahon averaged 2.9 points per game while shooting 30 percent from the field and only 21 percent from behind the arc.
