The University of Pennsylvania men’s basketball team is set to begin its city series this week, starting with a home game against Saint Joseph’s on Monday at The Palestra. This matchup marks the first of two Philadelphia Big 5 pod games for Penn, with the second scheduled for Friday at Drexel. The outcomes of these games will determine the schedule for the Big 5 Classic, which is set to take place on Saturday, December 6 at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Monday’s game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+ and locally in Philadelphia on NBC Sports Philadelphia+. The Friday contest at Drexel will air on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
This meeting between Penn and Saint Joseph’s is the 95th in their history, with Saint Joseph’s currently leading the series 57-37. The Hawks have won the last five matchups, including an 86-69 victory at The Palestra last year. Penn last defeated Saint Joseph’s in January 2019, a win that secured them the Big 5 title that season.
A notable storyline for Monday’s game is that Steve Donahue, who served as Penn’s head coach for ten years and led them to significant achievements including an Ivy League title and an NCAA Tournament appearance, now leads Saint Joseph’s after being named their head coach in September.
If Saint Joseph’s wins Monday night—having already beaten Drexel earlier this month—they will advance to represent their pod in the Big 5 Classic championship game. If Penn prevails, they will have a chance to reach the championship when they face Drexel later in the week.
For fans interested in following all of Penn’s home games and select road contests this season, ESPN+ continues its partnership with the Ivy League as a subscription-based streaming service. Additionally, audio broadcasts are available through the Quaker Audio Network online.
Penn has added several new players to its roster this season. Transfers TJ Power (Virginia/Duke) and Lucas Lueth (Kirkwood CC) join five freshmen: Ryan Altman, Jay Jones (son of Boston University head coach Joe Jones), Payton Kamin, William Kruse, and Dalton Scantlebury. Junior Augustus Gerhart leads Penn in rebounds per game so far this season.
Penn has shown strong performances early in the season; Ethan Roberts has scored double digits in each game thus far while Michael Zanoni scored a combined 50 points over two Division I contests.
The team’s schedule includes hosting a Thanksgiving tournament—the Cathedral Classic—for a fourth consecutive year and features matchups against both familiar rivals and newer opponents such as Merrimack College. Notably, Penn will renew its rivalry with Rutgers for the first time since 1975 during a holiday matchup later this year.
Fans can follow updates about Penn men’s basketball via social media or by visiting their official website.
