Penn and Villanova Set to Face Off in Basketball

Penn and Villanova are set to face off in a highly anticipated basketball game Follow these tips to make sure you don’t miss a minute of the action.

Rivalry Renewed: Penn and Villanova Set to Face Off in Basketball

The Quakers and the Wildcats last met on the court in December of 2015, with Penn coming out on top 71-65.

This year, both teams are off to strong starts. Penn is 4-0, with wins over Monmouth, La Salle, Rider, and Maryland Eastern Shore. Villanova is 3-1, with their lone loss coming against then-ranked #23 Purdue.

The game is sure to be a close one, as the two teams are evenly matched. Penn will look to capitalize on their home court advantage while Villanova will be looking to avenge their 2015 loss.

The game tips off at 7:00 PM EST on Friday, December 9th at the Palestra in Philadelphia.

A History of the Rivalry

The Penn and Villanova Basketball rivalry is one of the most heated in college athletics. The two schools are located just six miles apart in the Philadelphia area and have been competing against each other since 1918. The rivalry reached its peak in the 1980s when the two teams were consistently ranked among the best in the country.

The teams have met a total of 138 times, with Penn holding a slight edge in the overall series with a record of 71-67. The teams have met three times in the NCAA tournament with Villanova winning all three matchups.

The most recent meeting between the two teams was on December 5, 2019, when Penn upset then-No. 9 Villanova 76-65 at the Palestra. The win marked Penn’s first over a ranked opponent in nearly four years and was one of the biggest upsets of the college Basketball season

The Current Teams

As of right now, the Penn Quakers are 3-9 while Villanova is 10-2. Penn has won one Ivy League game while Villanova has yet to play an Ivy game. Out of conference, both teams have losses to Oklahoma, but Penn’s other six losses were to La Salle, St. Joseph’s, George Mason Fairleigh Dickinson Lafayette, and Drexel. On the other hand, Villanova’s only other loss was to Michigan. Pennsylvania is averaging 67 points a game while giving up 73 points. As for Villanova, they are averaging 75 points and giving up 60 points.

The Coaches

Villanova’s Jay Wright and Penn’s Steve Donahue are two of the most successful coaches in the country. They have a combined seven NCAA Tournament appearances and four conference championships

Wright has been at Villanova for 17 years, and has led the Wildcats to five NCAA tournament appearances and two conference championships. He is one of only four coaches in Villanova history to have more than 200 wins.

Donahue has been at Penn for six years, and has led the Quakers to two NCAA tournament appearances and two conference championships. He is one of only six coaches in Penn history to have more than 100 wins.

The Fans

Both the University Of Pennsylvania and Villanova boast passionate fan bases that are sure to make for an exciting game. The fans are what make college basketball so special and both of these schools have some of the best in the business.

The Quakers have the Penn Band, which is one of the oldest and most respected college bands in the country. The band has been a part of Penn basketball games since 1897 and always provides a lively atmosphere.

The Villanova cheerleaders are known as the “V-Army” and they are some of the most dedicated fans in all of college basketball They are always decked out in Villanova gear and cheering on their team.

Both sets of fans will be looking to give their team an extra boost and help them get a win in this big rivalry game.

The Venues

While most NCAA Division 1 basketball teams play their home games in on-campus arenas, the Philadelphia Big 5 – made up of La Salle, Penn, Saint Joseph’s, Temple, and Villanova – have a rich tradition of playing their home games at iconic off-campus venues.

The Palestra, located on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, is perhaps the most renowned of these venues. The “cathedral of college basketball” has been home to more College Basketball games than any other arena in the country, and has hosted games by both Penn and Villanova over the years.

Villanova also frequently plays at the historic Wells Fargo Center – home to the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers and NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers – when they are unable to play at their on-campus Pavilion due to scheduling conflicts.

So when these two storied Philadelphia basketball programs face off against each other, there is no lack of history or tradition surrounding the game.

The Media

The media is already calling this weekend’s game between Penn and Villanova the “Battle of the Big Five.” The two teams are set to face off on Saturday, with the winner claiming the top spot in the conference.

Both teams are coming into the game with winning records, but Penn has been on a hot streak lately. The Quakers have won their last eight games, while Villanova has lost two of their last three.

This will be the first time these two teams have faced each other since last year’s conference tournament when Villanova won in overtime. Penn will be looking for revenge on Saturday, but it will be a tough task against a talented Villanova team.

The Rivalry in the National Spotlight

The Penn and Villanova Basketball rivalry will be on display tonight as the two schools face off in a nationally televised game. The game, which is set to tip off at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, will pit the two teams against each other for the first time this season.

The contest will have major implications for both teams’ NCAA tournament hopes as they battle for position in the highly competitive Big East Conference For Villanova, a win would give them a season sweep of the Quakers and solidify their place near the top of the Conference Standings For Penn, a victory would not only give them a much-needed conference win, but also snap Villanova’s 14-game Winning Streak in the series.

This game has been circled on both team’s calendars since the schedule was released and it is sure to be a hotly contested battle between these two longtime rivals.

The Future of the Rivalry

The Penn and Villanova Basketball rivalry is one of the fiercest in the nation. The two schools are just a few miles apart and have been playing each other since 1917.

The future of the rivalry is in doubt, however, as Villanova prepares to make the move to the Big East Conference. Penn is not currently a member of any conference and it is unclear if they will continue to play Villanova once they make the move.

Only time will tell if this rivalry will continue or come to an end.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Penn and Villanova are two of the most successful basketball programs in the nation. They have both enjoyed extended periods of success, and their fanbases are some of the most passionate in the country. While they may be rivals on the court, there is no doubt that these two programs have a great deal of respect for one another.