Beyond the Arc

Non-conference play is finally over, and it sure wasn't pretty. What arguably killed the Quakers the most, or at least the most glaring statistical weakness, was three-point shooting. Last season during non-conference play, Penn shot 35 percent from three-land, improving slightly to 38 percent during Ivy League action. This season, the Quakers have converted an icy 28 percent of their three-point shots. But what's even more telling about Penn's shooting as a team centers on one player's dramatically reduced production from behind the arc: Brian Grandieri.

Grandieri, who netted 16 of 30 three-point shot attempts last season during non-conference play, has hit only 9 of 33 from downtown so far this season. Why this sudden drop-off? Last year, with the help of Ibrahim Jaaber, the Quakers were able to penetrate defenses much more easily and kick the ball out for open looks.

This season, with the injury to Darren Smith and subsequent absence of a reliable point guard, the Quakers haven't yet found their slasher. Penn has showed positive signs recently with its inside play, and the team has rebounded every bit as well as it did last year. But its inability to penetrate has yielded remarkably lower assist totals this season, which also leads to colder three-point shooting.

Grandieri didn't forget how to shoot the three; he just hasn't gotten the good feeds that he was used to in years past. Now, as the Quakers head into conference play, someone needs to step up on the perimeter and break down defenses in order to get Penn's three-point threats open looks at the basket.

One option might be Harrison Gaines, whose deft ball-handling skills and quickness could prove to be a major asset against the slower and less athletic teams in the Ivy League. If the Quakers can continue their improvement in the paint and add some semblance of a perimeter game, they might just be able to squeak back into the Tournament.