Five storylines as Penn tries to keep its Ivy Madness hopes a reality
'A clean slate'
This weekend, Penn tips off Ivy League play against Dartmouth on Saturday (2 p.m., ESPN+), hoping to improve on a 4-9 record. Out of 364 Division I men’s basketball teams, the Quakers sit 340th in NCAA NET rankings, a program-low.
'A clean slate'
This weekend, Penn tips off Ivy League play against Dartmouth on Saturday (2 p.m., ESPN+), hoping to improve on a 4-9 record. Out of 364 Division I men’s basketball teams, the Quakers sit 340th in NCAA NET rankings, a program-low.
'A clean slate'
“We're kind of looking at [the start of Ivy play] as a clean slate, a new season for us,” said junior forward Michael Zanoni. “[We are] putting the first half of season behind us ... and going in with a new mentality.”
Now, as Penn looks to turn around their season against Ivy opposition, Inquirer writer Conor Smith looks at the key storylines for the Quakers.
New guy in town
A two-time transfer, forward Ethan Roberts has become “the guy” for Quakers head coach Steve Donahue’s squad. The former Patriot League Rookie of the Year is averaging a team-high 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds this season.
New guy in town
A two-time transfer, forward Ethan Roberts has become “the guy” for Quakers head coach Steve Donahue’s squad. The former Patriot League Rookie of the Year is averaging a team-high 16.6 points and 5.8 rebounds this season.
New guy in town
Roberts was named the Ivy League player of the week after an impressive string of performances during November's Cathedral Classic, including scoring a career-high 33 points against Navy.
Regarding his outlook on the rest of the season, Roberts told the Inquirer: “I don't really have any personal goals other than us just winning and doing the best I can to help contribute to that."
Shooting struggles
Shooting struggles have sunken the Quaker’s offense, which ranks last in the Ivy League. They rank fourth in the Ivy League in attempted three-pointers but just seventh percentage-wise from deep (29.7%).
Shooting struggles
Shooting struggles have sunken the Quaker’s offense, which ranks last in the Ivy League. They rank fourth in the Ivy League in attempted three-pointers but just seventh percentage-wise from deep (29.7%).
Shooting struggles
Last season, the Quakers shot 36.7% from long range – good for second in the conference. Sophomore guard Sam Brown, who figured to be a threat from deep this season, has made just 23.4% of his attempted three-pointers through 13 games.
Shooting struggles
Last season, the Quakers shot 36.7% from long range – good for second in the conference. Sophomore guard Sam Brown, who figured to be a threat from deep this season, has made just 23.4% of his attempted three-pointers through 13 games.
Penn's roster is a revolving door
The Quakers have had 12 different players inserted into the starting lineup as they've struggled to find consistency on both ends of the court. The only player to start in all 13 outings has been Brown.
“[Coach Donahue] is looking for more consistency with lineups throughout Ivy play, just so we know what to expect going in and we can really get comfortable,” Zanoni said.
Recently, point guard Dylan Williams has been removed from the starting lineup for the Quakers after starting in the season’s first nine games. The Triton transfer has been ineffective this year, logging only 12 assists to his 20 turnovers.
Snapping a few streaks
No player on Penn’s current roster has celebrated a victory against rival Princeton. The Quakers look to snap an 11-game losing streak to the Tigers that dates back to 2019, when the two match up at the Palestra on Feb. 7 (7 p.m., ESPN+).
Snapping a few streaks
No player on Penn’s current roster has celebrated a victory against rival Princeton. The Quakers look to snap an 11-game losing streak to the Tigers that dates back to 2019, when the two match up at the Palestra on Feb. 7 (7 p.m., ESPN+).
The Tigers (11-4) are led by junior guard Xaivian Lee, who leads the Ivy League in total assists (86) and is scoring a team-high 15.6 points per game.
"We're not really focused on one team. We're just focused on doing what we can and winning an Ivy championship … We have one goal, but [beating Princeton] would be nice."
The Tigers (11-4) are led by junior guard Xaivian Lee, who leads the Ivy League in total assists (86) and is scoring a team-high 15.6 points per game.
"We're not really focused on one team. We're just focused on doing what we can and winning an Ivy championship … We have one goal, but [beating Princeton] would be nice."