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2019-20 Ivy League preview: Will it be Penn and Princeton again for the title?

By Matt Ward

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 11: Bella Alarie #31 (C) of the Princeton Tigers elates with her teammates with the win over the Harvard Crimson during an Ivy League semifinal matchup at The Palestra on March 11, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Princeton won 68-47. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 11: Bella Alarie #31 (C) of the Princeton Tigers elates with her teammates with the win over the Harvard Crimson during an Ivy League semifinal matchup at The Palestra on March 11, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Princeton won 68-47. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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Penn will rely on a proven veteran

Pennsylvania

Last Season: 24-7 (12-2 in Ivy League)

Predicted Finish: 2nd

Key Returners (Last season’s stats)

C- Eleah Parker, 6’4, Jr- 15.1 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 50% FG, 29.9 MPG

G- Phoebe Sterba, 6’1, Sr- 9.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 39% FG, 36% 3FG, 27.2 MPG

G- Kendall Grasela, 5’10, Sr- 3.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 41% FG, 46% 3FG, 25.9 MPG

Biggest Losses (Last season’s stats)

F- Princess Aghayere, 6’0- 12.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 46% FG, 30% 3FG, 27.8 MPG

G- Ashley Russell, 5’10- 11.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 40% FG, 34% 3FG, 34.0 MPG

Newcomers

G- Mandy McGurk, 5’8, Fr

F- Silke Milliman, 6’1, Fr

G- Kayla Padilla, 5’9, Fr

C- Faye Parker, 6’3, Fr

F- Kenzie Wood, 6’2, Fr

Head Coach- Mike McLaughlin (11th season)

Key Non-Conference Games

Nov 29 @ Duke

Jan 15 @ Villanova

Jan 23 @ Temple

Outlook

In watching Penn play last season, one thing consistently entered my mind: this team is really, really good. That sentiment will not change this season, as head coach, Mike McLaughlin, returns one of the best teams in the league, while welcoming, arguably, the most talented group of freshmen in the league.

The Quakers will certainly feel the departure of Princess Aghayere and Ashley Russell, but they are poised to compete at the top of the league again with the return of junior center, Eleah Parker. Parker, an All-League First Team selection, nearly averaged a double-double last season at 15.1 PPG and 9.0 RPG. The return of two more starters in senior guards, Phoebe Sterba and Kendall Grasela, will certainly bode well for a return to Ivy Madness for the fourth consecutive season.

In looking at last year’s team statistics, one thing stands out: Penn can really defend. While they finished fourth in scoring offense and second in FG% last season, which speaks well to their offensive capabilities, the defensive stats are astounding. McLaughlin’s squad finished first in the league in the following defensive categories: scoring defense, scoring margin, FG% defense, 3-point FG% defense, and rebound margin (which includes offensive rebounds). They also finished first in assist-to-turnover ratio. There’s no reason to think this type of play won’t continue this season.

This Penn team will bring a unique blend of size and athleticism that a majority of teams in the Ivy League, will find difficult to contend with and matchup to. Penn added five terrific freshmen, and they may have the best newcomer in the league in Silke Milliman. Milliman was the 70th ranked player in 2019 class, according to ESPN. She is extremely smooth on the offensive end and a competitor on the defensive end. At 6’2, Milliman is a difficult matchup for most at her position, and should have an immediate impact on this Penn team.

What Will Happen?

Parker is going to have another All-League type of season, and may even compete with Princeton’s Bella Alarie for player of the year. I expect that Penn’s commitment to the defensive end, and the successes in which they have found there in the past, will continue. They will need to find a third scorer behind Parker and Sterba, if they want to win the league and get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.

Penn has never missed an Ivy League Tournament since it’s inception in the 2016-17 season, and I see that trend continuing this season. Their streak of three consecutive Ivy League championship games, however, is far less of a certainty.

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