Lycoming News

The University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team is set to continue its Big 5 pod play this Friday by hosting Saint Joseph's at The Palestra. This match marks another chapter in the long-standing city series rivalry between the two teams.

The game will follow a doubleheader format, with the Penn women's team also facing Saint Joseph's in their Big 5 opener earlier that day. The men's game is scheduled for 8 p.m. and can be watched live on ESPN+ or listened to via the Quaker Audio Network.

The University of Pennsylvania began its season with a historic early start, securing a narrow victory over NJIT last Monday. This marked the earliest start date in program history, surpassing their previous record from November 2019 when they played against Alabama.

Regarding their head-to-head record with Saint Joseph's, Penn has met them 93 times previously but trails with a 37-56 record. Notably, Saint Joseph's has won their last four encounters, including two matches held at The Palestra.

This season sees several new faces on the Penn roster, including transfers Ethan Roberts from Drake, Dylan Williams from Triton College, and Michael Zanoni from Mercer. In addition to these transfers, there are four freshmen joining the squad: Bradyn Foster, AJ Levine, Alex Massung, and Michelangelo Oberti.

Penn aims to improve upon its current scoring margin after three games this season where both they and their opponents have scored an equal number of points. They hope to gain an advantage as they complete play within their pod after facing Villanova next Tuesday.

For those interested in following more about Penn men's basketball activities and updates can do so via social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram or through their website at PennAthletics.com.