Lycoming News

The University of Pennsylvania men's basketball team is set to conclude its Big 5 pod play on Tuesday night against Villanova. Both teams are seeking their first city series win of the season after recent losses to Saint Joseph's.

The game, scheduled for November 19 at 7 p.m., will take place at Finneran Pavilion in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Fans can watch the game live on Peacock or listen via the Quaker Audio Network (QAN). The QAN offers a free Internet-based audio streaming service with Matt Leon handling play-by-play duties, alongside analysts Brad Fadem and Vince Curran.

This match marks the 71st meeting between Penn and Villanova, with Villanova leading the series 50-20. Penn won last year's encounter at The Palestra, ending a streak where Villanova had claimed victory in 15 consecutive meetings from 2003 to 2017. This game will also serve as a reunion for Penn players with former teammate Tyler Perkins, who transferred to Villanova after last season.

Tuesday night's outcome will determine placements within one of the pods for the Big 5 Classic. Saint Joseph's has already secured victories over both Villanova and Penn, earning them a spot in the championship game. The winner between Penn and Villanova will compete for third place, while the loser will play in the fifth-place game.

Penn started its season with two consecutive one-point victories, echoing their performance during the 1978-79 Final Four season. The team's roster includes three new transfers: Ethan Roberts from Drake, Dylan Williams from Triton College, and Michael Zanoni from Mercer. In addition to these transfers, four freshmen have joined this year's lineup.

Key returning players include Reese McMullen, Nick Spinoso, George Smith, Cam Thrower, Sam Brown, Augustus Gerhart, and Niklas Polonowski—all of whom have recorded double-figure scoring games during their college careers.

The second annual Big 5 Classic is scheduled for December 7 at Wells Fargo Center. Further updates on Penn men's basketball can be found by following @PennMBB on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram or visiting PennAthletics.com.