Timing is everything: Penney makes key

scoring a habit

By STEVE ZIMMERMAN

Journal Interactive sports producer

Last Updated: Jan. 05, 2001

 

Madison -- Kirk Penney has embraced the phrase "timing is everything" in a big way during his brief two-year stay in the state capital.

 

The sophomore guard emphasized it in Thursday's night Big Ten Conference opener against Indiana with key baskets that jumpstarted the Wisconsin offense and lit a fire under the 17,142 in attendance at the Kohl Center.

 

Penney led the way with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting in the Badgers' 49-46 victory over

Indiana. He also chipped in seven rebounds and did not turn the ball over in 35 minutes.

 

Coming up with pivotal baskets on cue has summarized Penney's season. In Wisconsin's biggest victory of the season to date, a 78-75 overtime decision over No. 13 Maryland, Penney started each period with a three-pointer to pump life into the Badgers.

 

"He's not afraid," Wisconsin coach Brad Soderberg said. "That's the thing about Kirk that

makes him potentially a great scorer. He's fearless. It doesn't make any difference if he's

missed a bunch or made a bunch. That's the sign of a good shooter. That's the main thing."

 

The same story unfolded on a chilly night in Madison on another national televised game.

Wisconsin trailed 28-19 at the half, but roared back on a 3-pointer by Penney to open the

period. Wisconsin was 0-for-5 from long range in the first half. Penney was only warming up. The native New Zealander scored on a driving layup to cut the deficit to 28-24 and forced an Indiana timeout. Moments later, Penney rebounded a miss by Indiana freshman Jared Jeffries, hustled down the court, caught a swing pass from point guard

Mike Kelley and scored to draw the Badgers within 28-27. Penney added another 3-pointer from the corner to give Wisconsin its first lead of the game, 37-35, with 9:12 left.

 

"You want to let it come, but it got to a point to where the first half was over," Penney said. "I tried to be more aggressive in the second half. The intensity rose and the screens were there and the movers did a good job of getting open."

 

Penney also followed the halftime instructions of Soderberg. "I just told Penney and (Roy) Boone to cut as hard and long as you can," Soderberg said. "I told them when they need a sub, just let me know. Don't try to be a hero."

 

Like former Badger sharpshooters Tim Locum, Brian Good and Jon Bryant, Penney has quickly built a reputation for finding a range and firing whenever a crease forms in an opposing defense."That's what we saw down in Auckland," Soderberg said.

 

Penney entered the game fifth in the Big Ten with 2.1 three-pointers per game and is making 37.5 percent this season. Remove an 0-for-13 showing against Tennessee in the season opener and Penney is making 47.5 percent of his three-pointers on the season (24 of 51). Solid fundamentals have enabled him to stay sharp over an extended period.

 

"Mechanically his shot is very sound," Soderberg said. "He's always on line. Sometimes he'll miss deep or short, but seldom does he miss right or left.  His fearlessness and the mechanics of his shot makes him a good shooter."