Walker Carnathan, Sports Editor
Men’s basketball — No. 5
Last season marked rock bottom for the Red and Blue, whose 3-11 finish clip in conference play marked their worst finish since before the invention of the seatbelt. Much of the discussion ahead of this season will deservedly go to the talent the Quakers have lost and gained, but the real storyline will be how coach Steve Donahue patches the holes that were evident in 2023. Donahue has discussed playing two bigs to help improve defensive rotations and a more dedicated return to his three-point, paint-heavy approach, and if these efforts come to fruition, I think this season will look very different. Watch out for big seasons from senior forward/center Nick Spinoso and sophomore guard Sam Brown, and expect more wins at the Palestra than a season ago.
Women’s basketball — No. 3
If you watched Penn women’s basketball’s heartbreaking loss to Princeton a year ago, you know what the Quakers are capable of. Despite graduating star forward Jordan Obi, the Quakers retained their leading scorer, senior forward Stina Almqvist, and last year's Ivy League Rookie of the Year, sophomore guard Mataya Gayle. A star-studded rookie class will only help matters. While inconsistency in the regular season kept the Quakers to a fourth-place finish last season, I see Gayle taking another step forward and guiding the Red and Blue to a top three seed. And in Ivy Madness, anything can happen.
Vivian Yao, Sports Editor
Men’s basketball — No. 6
Penn men’s basketball had a rough go of it in Ivy League play last year, and the off season didn’t treat the team any more kindly. Not only did the Quakers lose second team All-Ivy Clark Slajchert due to graduation, they also lost breakout rookie Tyler Perkins to the transfer portal. On the bright side, the Red and Blue weren’t the only side to have lost talent to the transfer portal this offseason and the drastic roster shakeup could see Penn moving up from its predicted seventh-place finish to sixth. The team is far from being a title contender, but under coach Steve Donahue’s veteran leadership, it can definitely play stunner this year.
Women’s basketball — No. 2
Penn women’s basketball is coming off a season where it should’ve featured in the Ivy Madness finals if not for a questionable refereeing call that ultimately handed the Quakers a loss in the semifinals to Princeton — the eventual champions. And despite losing first team All-Ivy Jordan Obi to graduation, I believe the team has only gotten stronger. The incoming rookie class did nothing but impress me at the Red and Blue scrimmages. Freshman forward Katie Collins and freshman guard Ashna Tambe will be two new additions to keep an eye on. Combined with the fact that there was a massive exodus of talent from the top teams due to graduation, and the return of Mataya Gayle and Stina Almqvist alongside a strong rookie group, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Red and Blue finished the season in second in the standings with a solid shot at a March Madness berth.
Sean McKeown, Deputy Sports Editor
Men’s basketball — No. 3
So much has changed in the past two seasons, it's hard to know what to expect from the Red and Blue. Clark Slajchert is gone, Tyler Perkins is gone, and new faces are here! Coach Steve Donahue is excited to have junior transfer guard Dylan Williams on the team as his distributing play style takes a load off of the need for designed plays — but to whom exactly is he distributing? Incoming sophomore Sam Brown will be depended on in an increased role as he looks to light it up from the outside, and Donahue’s switch to two centers on the court may lend to an increased inside presence. Despite the uncertainty, I’m riding with the Quakers. The team has adapted to accept more transfers and freshmen as they bolster for an Ivy League run.
Women’s basketball — No. 2
Penn’s returning faces mean good things for the Quakers with a major overturn in the Ivy League.
The Ancient Eight has seen three first team All-Ivy Members leave this off season, with reigning champs Princeton losing program greats forward Ellie Mitchell and guard Kaitlyn Chen (both first team All-Ivy). Last year’s second-place Columbia is also losing guard Abbey Hsu, another first team All-Ivy member and former Player of the Year for the Ivy League. With massive losses atop the league, Penn has their best shot in years to regain the crown. Returning second team All-Ivy nominee Stina Almqvist and Rookie of the Year Mataya Gayle will be looked towards to make up for the production from Penn’s own loss of first team All-Ivy member Jordan Obi — but they are primed to take the keys to the program.
Hopefully, the Quakers can take advantage of Ivy League turmoil as they campaign for the top in 2025.
Lucas Milgrim, Deputy Sports Editor
Men’s basketball — No. 7
Entering the 2023-24 season, the Quakers were filled with hope. Landing a top recruit in Tyler Perkins while having one of the best scorers in the Ivy League in Clark Slajchert seemed to set Penn up for a competitive season, especially after a historic win over Villanova. And yet, all it took was an injury to Slajchert and several disappointing losses to leave the Red and Blue seventh of the Ancient Eight. Now, with both Perkins and Slajchert gone, sophomore guard Sam Brown will step into an even bigger role both offensively and defensively. Despite his ability and strong front court led by senior Nick Spinoso, the Quakers are slated for tough sledding this winter. The strong rookie class should keep Penn out of the basement, but it will be a surprise to see the Red and Blue in Ivy Madness come March.
Women’s basketball — No. 3
After a heart-wrenching end to the 2024 season, Penn will be in position to push for an Ivy title. Led by sophomore guard Mataya Gayle and a strong incoming freshman class, the Quakers will once again play in Ivy Madness and fight for the top of the Ancient Eight.
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