Penn students may not exactly be descending upon Lexington in droves, but there's no doubt that they are still devoted to their Quakers.
More than a few fans are making sure to catch the Red and Blue in action this afternoon against Texas A&M.; Students aren't letting anything get between them and a television at 3:10 p.m.
"I'll absolutely be watching the game," senior Apryle Horbal said. She also admitted that she'd "be missing a meeting to do it."
For her, "it's really important" that she gets to see the Quakers in the Tournament in her final year at Penn. Horbal has held season tickets for three years and has stood in the Line for two, and said she's had some great experiences at the Palestra.
The basketball love is not limited to nostalgic seniors. Sophomore Kevin Rakszawski said that "this team and its senior class has been so much fun to watch over the years. They definitely deserve to be there."
He added that if not for a midterm this morning, he'd be skipping class to go to Lexington with the band.
But Quakers fans are more than just watchers. They are passionate when talking about their team and its chances, and often have no qualms about criticizing its play.
While Rakszawski said that "we definitely deserved a 13 seed over Albany," freshman Ahsen Khan said that the Quakers "can't complain too much." Horbal pointed out that "there's no way they would have got a bid had they not won the conference."
Khan and Rakszawski both agreed that Penn played too easy a schedule and missed too many opportunities for wins over teams like Seton Hall and Fordham to get a top seed.
However, fans believe that these Quakers can conjure up some magic against a tough opponent in the Aggies.
Khan said that "if Jaaber can contain Acie Law and we hit our outside shots, we have a chance."
For Rakszawski, a Penn win can come straight from the coaching.
"Miller makes good in-game adjustments," he said. "I'm anxious to see his plan for A&M.;"
Others aren't thinking about game plans and shooting percentages. All Horbal had to say about the game itself is that she "really, really wants the Quakers to win one."
So while they might all have different opinions and different kinds of team spirit, today, they will all be rooting together.
