Get ready for war. Tomorrow, the men’s basketball team will play Drexel in the “Battle of 33rd Street.”
Drexel isn’t in the Ivy League or Big 5, and this game doesn’t really impact Penn’s chances of going to the NCAA tournament. Still, this game should be a big deal. Given that the opponent is Penn’s next-door neighbor, there’s likely to be a substantial number of Dragons fans at the Palestra. In response, Quakers fans need to make their school spirit known and show up too. Those who know little about the sport can still have a good time supporting their school and participating in the fight for University City bragging rights.
With a win in the team’s first home game and excitement about new permanent head coach Jerome Allen, there’s opportunity to create a buzz around the team. The season is young, and Penn students should set a precedent of going to games now. By winter, many students will already have gotten into the habit of staying home, and the cold weather may serve as an additional deterrent.
Whether the Quakers go to the NCAA Final Four like they did in 1979 or have another losing season, they should garner students’ support. But the potential for the team’s growth this year — combined with geographical rivalry in tomorrow’s contest — adds additional incentive for attendance.
