After finishing seventh in the Ancient Eight a season ago, it was likely hard for some students to imagine their team reaching the pinnacle of the Ivy League and making the NCAA tournament just a year later.
But that reality came to life on Thursday night. Across campus, the Penn community gathered to cheer on the Red and Blue in their first-round matchup against Illinois. Watch parties filled venues from Houston Hall to Smokey Joe’s, with crowds packed wall-to-wall and even alumni joining in on the excitement.
Despite coming into the game as a underdog against the Fighting Illini, students across campus have been energized by the team’s resurgence, with some even predicting a deep tournament run.
“I’m thrilled that Penn has made it to March Madness my freshman year. It’s a great way to celebrate our school spirit,” College freshman and former staffer for The Daily Pennsylvanian Harrison Shao said. “I have them winning it all in my tournament bracket.”
The game got off to a fast-paced start, with both teams trading baskets as the energy inside Houston quickly reached a fever pitch. Every Penn run, especially in the middle of the first half, was met with roars from a packed crowd.
Students and alumni alike stood shoulder-to-shoulder, locked in for every possession. Senior guard/forward Michael Zanoni helped keep the Quakers within reach early, hitting clutch mid-range and three-point jumpers which drew loud reactions from the watch party.
“I’m so excited to watch the basketball team represent our school on a national level and seeing the student body excited about it makes me happy,” Wharton sophomore Hailey Adamsky said. “I screamed at the TV. I’ve never done that before.”
But as the second half wore on, the tone inside the room began to shift. Costly turnovers led to easy fast-break points for the Fighting Illini, and the once cheerful crowd grew weary. Still, even as the gap widened, the crowd remained engaged and applauded the team’s effort, reflecting on a season few had imagined just months prior.
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“I really enjoyed attending the Houston Hall watch party because it gave me a heightened sense of belonging and school pride,” College junior Mapalo Mulwe said. “Watching and standing united with everybody at Houston Hall, whether I knew them or not, was just as special as the outcome of the game. Supporting the Red and Blue that day was and forever will be one of my fondest memories here at Penn.”
For some students who have consistently shown up at the Palestra, even during the program’s struggles, the moment carries even more weight.
“Every game I’ve gone to this year has always been a wonderful experience. The level of dedication that our players give is incredibly inspiring to watch,” Engineering junior Eric Li said. “[I] was very happy when found out that Penn won the Ivy League tournament and will be going to March Madness.”
Penn’s run is even more remarkable given preseason expectations. Picked to finish near the bottom of the Ivy League standings, the Quakers far exceeded those projections, turning what many viewed as a rebuilding year into a historic one. Winning certainly changes things.
For years, it’s been easy to point to Penn’s academic focus as a reason for its quieter sports culture. But this past week showed something different: when given a reason to rally, students can and will. Winning will always spark culture.
“Honestly I’m just so happy to see Penn athletics getting to compete on the larger stage,” Class of 2027 President and College junior Natasha Kobelsky said. “Hearing people from all groups on campus cheer and get excited about it has been amazing to experience. Things like this really galvanize the student body and unite the students with school spirit in a way not much else can.”
Coach Fran McCaffery emphasized culture change from the moment he arrived at his opening press conference, bringing a vision of packing the Palestra with a crowd similar to his the ones during his time playing at Penn. In his first season, that vision is already taking shape.
