The biggest game of the year is here.
On Saturday, Penn men’s basketball will battle Villanova for the Toyota Men’s Big 5 Classic on neutral ground at the Xfinity Mobile Arena with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m.
The Quakers are looking for their first Big 5 championship since 2019 and first ever in the new “classic” format. Regardless of outcome, this matchup is a huge one in terms of momentum for the program in its first season under coach and 1982 Wharton graduate Fran McCaffery. Last year, the Quakers finished sixth in the Big 5.
Whether it’s your first Penn men’s basketball game or your 10th, this matchup is a must-watch event. The Daily Pennsylvanian Sports department has got Penn students covered on the must-knows about the game itself, tickets, and players to watch.
What is the Big 5? What is the Big 5 Classic?
The Big 5 is a historic association of six college basketball programs in the Philadelphia area: Penn, La Salle, Temple, Villanova, Saint Joseph’s, and Drexel. One may think, “So, there are six schools in the Big 5?” — there are indeed. Drexel was added as a sixth member of the Big 5 in 2023.
Along with this addition, the new format of competing for a Big 5 championship was announced. The Big 5 is broken down into two pods made up of three teams, and the standings within those pods dictate the seeding for a single-day triple-header at Xfinity Mobile Arena to decide the Big 5 champion. The winners of each pod compete for the championship in the final game of the triple-header. Games to decide the runner-up and third-place teams precede the championship matchup.
Penn won its pod after defeating St. Joe’s and Drexel before Thanksgiving break, clinching its spot in the championship game. Villanova defeated Temple on Monday to also advance to the championship.
How do I get tickets? How can I get to the venue?
Penn Athletics is offering free tickets on a reservation basis as well as a free T-shirt and transportation to the arena.
After being reserved, tickets can be picked up at the Penn Athletics ticket office from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday or at the Palestra from 5-7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Tickets that are not picked up during those times will be distributed at bus check-in.
The free bus transportation for students departs from Franklin Field. Check-in will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are also available via the Big 5 Classic’s official ticketing platform, Ticketmaster. One ticket provides entry to all three games, including the championship matchup. Reentry is allowed for the event.
How does basketball work?
Similarly to other sports, the winner of a basketball game is determined by scoring more points than your opponent. Each team will have five players on the court at a time attempting to get the ball into their opponent’s basket or defend their own basket. Players score points by shooting the basketball into the hoop. Shots from anywhere within the circular arcs on the court are worth two points, while those beyond the arc are worth three points. Points can also be scored from the free-throw line if a player is fouled.
The structure of the game is two halves with a break in the middle. There are also several media timeouts spread out throughout the game.
Basketball is pretty fast paced, so knowing the basics is helpful. And don’t fret, the announcers will help explain what’s going on — especially the enthusiastic ones at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Which players should I watch out for?
Expect action from senior guard Ethan Roberts, who has averaged 20.3 points per game so far this season. The week before Thanksgiving, Roberts was named Lou Henson National Player of the Week for his scoring power in both of the Quakers’ previous Big 5 matchups.
Junior forward TJ Power will be a big contributor to his first Big 5 Classic after dropping a career high of 29 points last weekend against Big 5 foe La Salle. His debut with the Quakers this year is a strong step up from his quieter freshman and sophomore seasons at Duke and Virginia, respectively.
Finally, be on the lookout for senior forward Michael Zanoni, who has become a sharp-shooting weapon this year in the Quakers’ arsenal.