PENNEY IS EAGER TO SHINE THE FRESHMAN GUARD HOPES TO CONTINUE HIS HOT SHOOTING TONIGHT AGAINST PENN STATE.
Wisconsin State Journal

Jan 19, 2000

Vic Feuerherd

 

If Kirk Penney wasn't wearing a University of Wisconsin jersey and preparing to face Penn State tonight, he likely would be back home in Auckland attending school and preparing for the New Zealand Olympic basketball tryouts.

Thankfully, for Penney and the UW men's basketball team, that backup plan never came into play. "I wanted to come here so badly," Penney said. "It was such a goal of mine."

The goal is changing now that Penney has become an instrumental part of the Badgers' plans. He is expected to make his second straight start against the Nittany Lions, and coach Dick Bennett is looking for the 6-foot-5 guard to continue to produce in the area where UW needs the most help: the offense.

Penney is coming off two big games - a 12-point, 28-minute effort vs. Ohio State and a 17-point, 37-minute effort at Purdue.

"It's hard to come back with another good game, especially when you play at home and then on the road. That's an indicator of a good player," Bennett said. "That's very unusual for a freshman."

But Penney is not your typical freshman. He was the odd child in his Auckland neighborhood who saved money with his older brother Rodd to buy what he called a "wee basket" when most of the kids had dreams of a future in rugby. In fact, Rodd is at Arizona on a rugby scholarship.

Four years ago, Penney met Tony Bennett, Dick's son who was in New Zealand to play pro basketball. Tony eventually became a coach, and his prized pupil was Penney.

The two are still connected. One of Tony's roles as a manager with the Badgers is to work with players on different aspects of their games. With Penney, it is shooting. And shooting. And more shooting. "You have to boot them out of the gym," Dick Bennett said.

About two weeks ago, Tony told his father Penney was ready to make more than the sporadic contribution he had made during the non- conference season. Penney knew his time was coming, too.

"I always had the confidence I could, and I was waiting for the opportunity," Penney said.

"It's a great feeling to be able to contribute, but I have to keep it up. It's only a beginning."

That view of his game has endeared him to the Badgers as much as his outside jumper and physical toughness, which Dick Bennett describes as "rugby strong."

"He is one of the most unspoiled athletes I've worked with," Bennett said. "It's a beautiful thing to see a guy who is just in love with the game, in love with school, in love with people. He's been taught the right things."

So far, Penney's unique approach to the game is working.

"I pride myself on just focusing on the game and not getting caught up in the emotion," said Penney, who rarely speaks to his teammates on the floor and never speaks to his opponents.

"Keep that level playing field. Make a shot, miss a shot. I think to be a consistent player, that's what you have to hit."