Penn women’s basketball tips off their season at home against King’s College on Nov. 7.
By Conor Smith
18 minutes ago
Sophomore forward Katie Collins attempts a floater against La Salle during the Big 5 on Dec. 6, 2024.
Credit: Lydia Tong
It’s that time of year again.
On Tuesday, Penn women’s basketball released its 2025-26 schedule, giving fans an early glimpse into the season. The Quakers tip off their year at home against King’s College on Nov. 7, also accessible via ESPN+.
Last season, Penn willed its way into the Ivy League Tournament after a 2-6 conference start. A major factor in their playoff berth was now-sophomore center Katie Collins, who was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year. Collins averaged 10 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game. The Quakers, who finished 15-13 overall and 6-8 in the Ivy League, ultimately fell to Columbia in the Ivy Madness semifinals.
Let’s unpack what this year’s schedule holds:
Pod play
Penn will tip off Big 5 play on Nov. 12 at Drexel in the 29th iteration of the “Battle of 33rd Street.” After making an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024, the Dragons went 17-13 last season before falling in the semifinals of the Coastal Athletic Association tournament. Along with a pod win, the teams are also vying for the upper hand in their rivalry, as they are split 14-14 all time.
Penn’s second Big 5 matchup comes against Saint Joseph’s at home on Nov. 24. Last season, the Hawks went 24-10 and placed second in the Atlantic 10 tournament. Penn will be facing a very different St. Joe’s squad, though, as the Hawks graduated six seniors and saw two players transfer.
The Quakers will compete in the women’s Big 5 Classic at Villanova on Dec. 7. Seeding will be based on team record in pod play.
Holiday hoops
The Quakers are getting no holidays off this year.
The team will be celebrating Thanksgiving in Texas this year as they will take a two-game road trip to the Lone Star. On Nov. 28, Penn will take on Division III St. Thomas in Houston, marking the first-ever matchup between the programs. It will be a homecoming for freshman guard Ruke Ogbevire, who is from Houston.
Penn will then travel to Austin to play Texas on Nov. 30 for its toughest matchup of the season. Last season, Texas finished 35-4 and made a Final Four appearance. The only other time the programs competed was in the 2014 NCAA Tournament. In coach Mike McLaughlin’s first postseason run leading the program, the 12th-seeded Quakers fell to fifth-seeded Longhorns 79-61.
During winter break, the Quakers will compete in the second annual Fairleigh Dickinson Christmas Classic. On Dec. 29, Penn will play Maryland Eastern Shore at FDU in Hackensack, N.J. The team will then take on either FDU or Binghamton on the next day of the Classic.
“Adding a trip to Texas and other strong non-conference opponents will test us early and prepare us for the battles ahead,” McLaughlin said in a statement released with Penn Athletics. “Our group is eager to embrace the journey and continue to grow together throughout the season.”
Ivy slate
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Penn will open up Ivy League play on Jan. 3, 2026 at home against Princeton.
Last season — for the first time in Ivy history — the conference sent three teams to the NCAA Tournament. Harvard gained an automatic bid after winning the Ivy title, while Columbia and Princeton both earned at-large selections. The odd team out? Penn.
Penn was the only team that made Ivy Madness that did not receive an at-large bid after barely scraping into the conference tournament. In recent memory, the Quakers have not fared well against the top of the Ivy League. Combined, Penn is 1-13 (including tournament games) against Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton over the past two seasons.
To be the best, you have to be able to beat the best. The Quakers will have six chances to do so against the conference’s top programs next season.
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