Coach Pat Knapp wants his basketball team to get back to the fundamentals.
After Saturday's 66-44 debacle against Manhattan, Knapp has been stressing three aspects of the game - defensive execution, rebounding and offensive rhythm - in preparation for the Quakers' Big 5 showdown against Saint Joseph's (2-1) tonight at the Palestra.
If Penn pulls off the win, it will be only its second in 33 tries against the Hawks.
Facing what could be generously called an uphill battle, Knapp was unequivocal about the need for improved defense.
"There are some kids that are going to have to do better as a team," Knapp said. "Some people need to . get lower and move their feet quicker."
The Quakers (1-2) seemed flat-footed and slow during their previous outing, allowing opposing players to drive past them time and time again. Knapp was now fed up.
"When those people don't do it, obviously the team needs to compensate and help, and we'll find someone else who will do it," he said.
One particular aspect of the defense that has killed Penn down the stretch is three-point defending. The Quakers thus far have allowed a porous 24-for-54 from beyond the arc.
Facing "a very strong senior guard in [Timisha] Gomez," as Knapp put it, will definitely test the Quakers' perimeter defense. Gomez has shot 4-for-11 from downtown so far this season.
"We definitely have to focus more on guarding the perimeter three-point shooters," junior forward Carrie Biemer said.
Offensively, the Quakers need to find more "offensive balance," as Knapp put it, as well as limit their turnovers.
Biemer has been having a career season thus far, scoring in double digits in all three games Penn has played.
She accounts for around 35 percent of the Quakers' offense, which cannot continue down the stretch if the Red and Blue want an even-keeled attack.
"Teams are going to be focused more on stopping me," Biemer said. "I look to take my time, try and get the ball and look to kick out."
Also, turnovers have severely sabotaged Penn's offensive effort. The Quakers have averaged 21 turnovers a game, 10.7 more than their opponents.
"We need to slow down on offense, all be on the same page and make sure that we're in the set we need to be," Biemer said.
Rectifying these offensive problems will be difficult against a stingy St. Joe's defense, which has been allowing opponents to shoot only 32.4 percent from the field.
Knapp has been saying that his women need to take "measured steps" toward success. In their second outing at home, just how far have these steps taken the team?
