Illini’s Penn could go from post to point

We’re all multi-tasking these days. Even basketball players.

Here I thought that Illinois forward Karisma Penn was going to step forward this season and seamlessly assume the role of the Big Ten’s premier post player.

That’s a distinction shared for the last few years by Northwestern’s Amy Jaeschke and Ohio State’s Jantel Lavender, both of whom are now playing professionally.

Then I found out recently that Penn spent much of the off-season practicing practically everything but post moves, strange considering how good she is at them.

As dominant as Jaeschke and Lavender were, they couldn’t totally shake Penn. Especially last season.

She relentlessly was nipping at their heels for supremacy in the paint. The 6-foot-2 junior forward averaged a double-double last season with 17.5 points and 10 rebounds. She also set a school single-season record in blocks with 78.

With Jaeschke and Lavender out of the way, the table seemed set for Penn to produce even bigger and better numbers and to become the Big Ten’s best post player.

As it turns out, Penn might not have time for that. She could be too busy running the point.

“That’s right. I may just put Karisma at the point,” Illinois coach Jolette Law said recently with a mischievous smile.

“I joke with my point guards all the time and say, ‘I’m coming for that spot,’” Penn said with a laugh. “I mean, I can dribble. I can shoot. I can do all those things out there (on the perimeter). It’s just about having the confidence to do them in a game, on a big stage.”

Penn, averaging 15 points and 7.3 rebounds so far this season for the 2-1 Illini, spent the entire off-season auditioning for such an occasion. Law insisted upon it.

It’s not that Law needs Penn to play point guard. Law, a former all-Big Ten point guard herself at Iowa, simply wants Penn to have the option, regardless of her size or history as an exclusive post player.

That’s why Penn worked on her ballhandling and outside shooting like she never has before.

“Karisma is definitely the premier post player in this league now,” Law said shortly before the Illini’s season opener last week. “But with me, I want her to be the premier player in the Big Ten. Period. I want her to be the best in the post, on the perimeter, everywhere.

“That’s why I’ve challenged Karisma to extend her range, to put the ball on the floor and to be more consistent with the 3-ball. I want her to have that confidence that she can do it all.”

Law thinks a more versatile Penn will help not only her team, it will help Penn’s career beyond college as well. She says that players who want to play professionally better be able to play more than one position.

“When you want to play at that level and be a player of that magnitude, you can’t just be a one-position player,” Law said. “I want people (in the WNBA) saying that Karisma Penn isn’t just a post player. I want them saying that Karisma Penn can play the 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

“If you’re versatile, you should be able to help someone somewhere. And your chances (of sticking with a team) are a lot better.”

Wide-open race:The upcoming NCAA volleyball tournament should be the most intriguing one in years.Penn State has won the last four national titles, but there is no overwhelming favorite this year.In this week#146;s Top 25 poll, eight teams earned at least one first-place vote, a commentary of the perceived parity among the top teams. At this point in the season, that#146;s rare. There usually is a clear favorite either sweeping all of the first-place votes or getting most of them.Also, eight different teams have been ranked No. 1, including Illinois, which spent the longest time in the top spot at four weeks.The Illini are 24-3 and ranked seventh in the nation. They also sit in the No. 1 spot in the RPI (strength of schedule) rankings, which means they should be rewarded with a very favorable seed in the tournament.pbabcock@dailyherald.com 12001806Illinois senior Karisma Penn, already the premier post player in the Big Ten, could find herself at playing many positions. And that includes point guard.Courtesy of University of Illinois