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Men’s basketball 2024 Ivy League power rankings: preseason
Following a 3-11 conference campaign last year, how do the Quakers stack up in the Ancient Eight?
CALEB CRAIN
Former Sports Editor
Last year, Penn men’s basketball couldn’t capitalize on a strong start to the season — including a win over then-No. 21 Villanova at the Palestra — and ended the season No. 7 in the Ivy League conference. This meant that for the first time in at least three years, the Quakers missed out on the annual Ivy League men's basketball tournament. Now, seeking to return to postseason play, here is how Penn ranks in the Ancient Eight based on Ivy League performance in the 2023-24 season with games beginning this week.
1. PRINCETON
(24 - 5, 12 -2 IVY)
Ivy play a season ago. Whether other players can step up to help Williams remains the key question for Cornell heading into the season as the Big Red seek to return to Ivy Madness.
5. PENN (11-18, 3 -11)
Zavian McLean means that someone new will have to step up to complement last year’s leading scorer, guard Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa.
7. HARVARD
(14 -13, 5 - 9)
2. YALE (23 -10, 11-3)
The Bulldogs shocked the nation with a win over Auburn in the first round of March Madness a season ago. This time, they should remain the biggest challengers for Princeton throughout the conference season. The loss of Danny Wolf — Yale’s top scorer and the conference’s best rebounder from last year — is the team’s biggest hurdle to overcome if it hopes to reach March Madness once again. But a backcourt duo of Bez Mbeng and John Poulakidas should be a strong point of coach James Jones’ squad.
Last year, the Tigers had a strong regular season before falling short at the Ivy League men's basketball tournament and failing to secure a bid to March Madness. They did this by combining a strong offense with a league-best defense, allowing just 66.1 points per game in conference play. Princeton returns the Ivy League’s two best scorers from a year ago with guard Xaivian Lee and forward Caden Pierce, so they should remain the class of the Ivy League this year as well.
3. BROWN (13 -18, 8 - 6)
A A season ago, Brown rode the dynamic duo of guard Kino Lilly Jr. and forward Nana Owusu-Anane’s combined 33 points per game to a winning record in conference play and a spot in the conference tournament. These two players both return and should remain key pieces for the Bears this season. Coach Mike Martin and this squad could very well take another leap and slot solidly into the second tier of teams behind the Tigers and Bulldogs.
4. CORNELL
(22 - 8, 11-3)
The Big Red had the Ivy League’s best offense in the 2023-24 season, averaging 82.1 points per game against conference foes. But the team’s leading scorer — guard Chris Manon — is gone, so much of the offensive burden will fall on guard Nazir Williams, who averaged 14.1 points per game in
After losing key pieces to the transfer portal in back-to-back off seasons, coach Steve Donahue and the Quakers went on the offensive heading into this campaign, getting pieces such as junior guards Dylan Williams, Michael Zanoni, and Ethan Roberts from the transfer portal. While only time will tell how much these new players will contribute this season, they represent chances at improvement for a Quakers team, which suffered an unusually bad campaign last year. If all goes according to plan, the Quakers should be in contention for an Ivy Madness spot all the way through the season.
6.
COLUMBIA
(13 -14, 4 -10)
Last season, Columbia’s middle-of-the-pack offense was negated by a conferenceworst defense, as the Lions gave up nearly 72.4 points per game. This will likely be a point of emphasis for them as the Lions hope to improve. On the offensive end, the loss of guard
The Crimson also lost important players via transfer this off season, as reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year, guard Malik Mack, left for the Georgetown Hoyas and forward Chisom Okpara — the team’s leading scorer — went to the Stanford Cardinals via the transfer portal. Replacing them will be tough for Harvard, and players like guard Louis Lesmond will have to play a major role. With this, it’s hard to see Harvard finishing near the top half of the Ancient Eight standings this season.
8. DARTMOUTH
(6 -21, 2 -12)
Finally, there’s Dartmouth. The Big Green finished last in many statistical categories last season, including points per game, field goal percentage, and rebounds per game. Furthermore, their 13.4 point difference in Ivy games was a full eight points below the next lowest team on the list. With so much to change, don’t expect Dartmouth to improve substantially this season.
Another year, another Ivy League preseason ranking for women’s basketball.
Familiar faces stood on top of the Ivy League once again last year, with Princeton and Columbia sharing the regular season title heading into Ivy Madness. History continued to repeat itself as Princeton battled it out against Columbia and Penn in the playoffs to earn a bid to March Madness — but with a small twist. Columbia also earned a bid after being voted in by committee. Since then stars have left, new players have joined, and star rookies have progressed: Let’s see where the Ivy League stands now.
1. PRINCETON
(25 - 5, 13 -1 IVY)
Five-straight Ivy Madness titles, and six-straight regular season titles. The resume really speaks for itself. Every year, no matter their struggles, the Tigers have reigned supreme — and this year looks to be no different.
Despite the high ranking, this year’s squad lost a lot to graduation this past year. Princeton saw both guard Kaitlyn Chen, the Ivy League Player of the Year in 2023 and 2024 first team All-Ivy selection, and forward Ellie Mitchell, a three-time Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, forced to leave the team due to the Ivy League’s rule barring graduate student-athletes. These losses are as substantial as any, but the team has been able to keep standouts in
junior Madison St. Rose — 2023’s Ivy League Rookie of the Year — along with sophomore guards Skye Belker and Ashley Chea. With huge spots to fill and plenty of young talent, only time will tell if the team can come out on top once again. But if history tells us anything, Princeton will find its footing in no time.
2. COLUMBIA
(23 -7, 13 -1)
The perennial No. 2 has its best shot to climb to the top spot this season.
Falling in Ivy Madness, but still being selected for March Madness, makes last season only the second time two Ivy women’s squads made the NCAA tournament in the past seven years. A huge achievement that happened on the back of then-senior guard Abbey Hsu, a 2024 AP All-America Honorable mention and the 2024 Ivy League Player of the Year who graduated this past spring. Looking to fill her role are two seniors: last year’s second team All-Ivy honorees’ Cecelia Collins and Kitty Henderson. After losing the best player in the league and a leader in the locker room, the pressure is on the returning players and reigning Ivy League Coach of the Year Megan Griffith to pull the squad together. With some good luck and execution, Columbia may be able to turn from the bridesmaid to the bride in this upcoming campaign.
Women's basketball 2024 Ivy League power rankings: preseason
After last year's fourth-place finish, see how Penn stacks up in the Ancient Eight
3. HARVARD
(16 -12, 9 - 5)
Dark horses run faster when no one is watching.
A team that only received one first-place vote in the Ivy League Preseason Poll may have the strongest returning player in the Ivy League. Falling to Columbia in the first round of Ivy Madness, Harvard was one game away from competing for an Ivy title. Its best player? Guard Harmoni Turner, who is one of only two returning members of last season’s first team All-Ivy selections and the conference’s second-leading scorer.
Though the team is losing its second-leading scorer in guard Lola Mullaney, the rest of the roster is primed to fill in the gaps as junior Katie Krupa looks to build off a season where she shot over 50% from the field while notching over 10 points per game. With a filled-out roster, a returning star, and no expectations: Harvard may just shock the league this season.
4. PENN
(15 -13, 7-7)
The Red and Blue has never looked better.
Filling out a stacked top-four teams, the Quakers have a similar story to Princeton and Columbia: losing a star player but having good, young players to fill in. First team All-Ivy selection and recent graduate Jordan Obi left the program this summer after leading Penn to a close loss in Ivy Madness to Princeton, but in her wake remains plenty of talent. Senior guard Stina Almqvist and sophomore guard Mataya Gayle, a second team All-Ivy selection and Ivy League Rookie of the Year respectively, look to power a potent Penn offense, with another bright spot being sophomore guard Ese Ogbevire, who will hopefully find an increased role this season. Losing program-great Kayla Padilla last year led to Obi finding greater success on the court, and the Quakers faithfuls can hope to see the same jump from Almqvist this year as coach Mike McLaughlin helms the ship. The biggest concern for the team may be the lack of size with Obi and forward Floor Toonders leaving, but sky’s the limit as the top stars progress.
5. BROWN (16 -11, 7-7)
Moving on to the teams that fell outside of Ivy Madness, things looked pretty average for the 7-7 Bears. Largely carried by now-departed guard Kyla Jones, the Bears will have to look internally to find new names to carry the offensive load.
Defensive standout Ada Anamekwe and second-leading scorer Grace Arnolie are both returning for their junior seasons, but will they be enough to help the team stay afloat?
Anamekwe was top five in blocks while Arnolie ranked top five in steals, with many of the people above them on the leaderboard leaving the Ivy League.
Look for Brown to depend on some seriously intense defense in the upcoming season, as it’ll have to rely on that to make up for the lack of cohesion on offense.
6. YALE
(8 -19, 5 - 9)
Look, another team with a senior leading scorer leaving!
SEAN MCKEOWN Deputy Sports Editor
Then-senior guard Jenna Clark finds herself out the door while the Bulldogs are left grasping at straws. Falling from its 7-7 record in the 2022-23 season, Yale seems to be on a real downward spiral.
One bright spot to look out for is guard Kiley Capstraw, who ranked No. 15 in the Ivy League in scoring last season and will most likely be tasked with replacing the production of Clark.
Yale ranked as the worst defense in the league last season, surprisingly lower than both 1-13 conference teams, Cornell and Dartmouth. With their top scorer gone, expect the Bulldogs to slide down in the rankings if they can’t pick it up on both ends of the floor.
7. CORNELL
(7-19, 1-13)
Only one Ivy League win in an entire campaign is a step down for Cornell, who ranked bottom two in virtually every major category while being the worst three-point shooting team in the league.
There is not much in the way of hope, as those like forward Emily Pape, who were provided bigger roles this past season, crumbled under the weight of higher expectations. It’s difficult to imagine a world in which the Big Red have a better season unless its new wave of freshmen hit the ground running under coach Emily Garner. With the teams above them also looking vulnerable, the final rankings will depend on which team can build chemistry the quickest to see who ends up on top.
8. DARTMOUTH (7-19, 1-13)
Would it surprise you if I said its 1-13 conference record was actually an improvement on the previous season’s record?
As a perennial bottom-of-thebracket team, Dartmouth will need to come out of the gates swinging if it wants to rise in the rankings this year. Its best player, center Clare Meyer, only averaged eight points per game last season while leading the team in field goal attempts and percentage. Coach Linda Cimino, heading into her second year, needs to attack this season with ingenuity as it seems this program needs a top-down evaluation before it can be taken seriously.
WEINING
Junior guard Simone Sawyer, junior guard Saniah Caldwell, and sophomore guard Mataya Gayle pose at Williams Hall on Sept. 23
2023-24 was a poor season for Penn men’s basketball, and coach Steve Donahue will be the first person to admit it. Calling the team’s 11-18 record and 3-11 clip in the Ivy League “disappointing," Donahue shared his thoughts on the upcoming season, most importantly the naming of two new captains: senior guard George Smith and senior forward/center Nick Spinoso.
With Smith and Spinoso leading the new team, Donahue is confident that the Quakers will quickly rebound and reach their past heights of success.
He cited Smith and Spinoso’s experience through team successes and failures as a unique experience preparing them well for captaincy.
“They understand what it takes to win, and yet they know what it looks like when they don’t win,” Donahue said.
Donahue chooses captains differently every year, but he always starts with a leadership council composed of players from each year to gauge the team’s connection. The team then votes on its captains at the beginning of October.
“Nick and George were far and away the two highest [voted],”
Donahue said.
Despite their new distinctions, Smith and Spinoso maintained that their role on the team would not change and instead emphasized the importance of continuing the family mentality that Donahue fosters. Donahue is renowned for this particular strategy — one that has contributed to multiple past championships.
“I think a huge part of our team last year that we struggled with is bringing everybody along,” Smith recalled. “My job is to … make sure the guys that aren’t on the rotation are involved, or they’re learning.”
The senior guard plans to treat his new position with respect, calling it a “privilege.” One of only three players to play in all 29 games last season, Smith doesn’t get caught up in the numbers and instead focuses on the individual plays, something Donahue appreciates.
“George is that solid, fundamental person that you can trust in any situation,” Donahue said.
He also praised Smith’s strong work ethic, something people don’t always notice.
“George is one that people disrespect how hard he plays, the grind that he has,” Donahue said. Smith has experienced many
adjustments as a player, having played and started at different positions in the rotation, yet Donahue notes that his attitude at practice has never changed and his discipline has never dropped.
Spinoso has come a long way to his captaincy. After what Donahue described as an “up and down” freshman season, Spinoso stepped up to earn the Big 5 Most Improved Player award in 2023. Last season, he was the only Quaker to start all 29 games and led the team with 30 blocks.
“[Basketball has] given me every opportunity that I’ve pretty much had in life,” Spinoso said. “It’s got me to where I am today. I love it [and] I want to keep playing for as long as I can.”
Similar to his co-captain, Spinoso considers his new position an honor and an opportunity to prove how he’s grown throughout his basketball careers.
“We got a great group of guys. I know me and George have taken a lot from the captains before us, and it’s just a great opportunity to lead a great group,” Spinoso said.
Spinoso is known for his particularly energetic playing style and ability to move the ball around the court. Donahue commented that his energy is effusive and quickly spreads among his teammates while also
'We ought to get back to
winning': Men’s basketball 2024 captains speak on upcoming season
Seniors Nick Spinoso and George Smith will lead the team in the 2024 season
PHOEBE WEINTRAUB
Sports Associate
praising his ability to admit to his mistakes.
“What I like about [Spinoso] is that when he’s wrong, he’s willing to admit it and take criticism like we all should when we do something wrong,” Donahue shared.
While they both regard their new leadership positions with the same attentiveness, Smith and Spinoso will take on different responsibilities as captains. Spinoso cited his need to look beyond himself and ensure the preparedness and confidence of his teammates, while Smith spoke of his desire to be a louder leader.
“I need to be a little bit more vocal, which I know my team’s let
me know,” Smith said.
The one thing Smith, Spinoso, and Donahue agree on is the need to win. Donahue commented that his goal this season is the same as always: to maximize the team’s potential, regardless of the level of success it reaches. Smith plans to bring a winner’s mindset to the table to unite his team.
“I think the winning piece has to come with a sense of urgency, intensity and toughness,” Smith said. “I know we have the talent and skill and the guys that all the buy into the one goal and win, but I think those intangibles are really important that I’ll try to bring for sure.”
Penn men's basketball announced senior forward/center Nick Spinoso and senior guard George Smith as their captains for the
Meet the women's basketball's captains: Stina Almqvist and Lizzy Groetsch
The two senior guards will be looking to lead the Quakers to an NCAA Tournament berth
NEEMA BADDAM Sports Reporter
Penn women’s basketball is back and better than ever. The team’s new captains, senior guards Lizzy Groetsch and Stina Almqvist, emphasized how much the group has grown over the past year — and their readiness for the upcoming season.
Almqvist, who hails from Kinna, Sweden, had a standout season last year, playing in all 28 games and starting in 27. She led the Quakers in scoring, with an average of 15.3 points per game and came second in average rebounds per game at 6.4.
Groetsch praised Almqvist’s growth over the past year, emphasizing that her co-captain has not only grown as a player but as a leader.
Almqvist’s career accolades include winning second team All-Ivy last year, Ivy League Player of the Week on March 4, and earning Big 5 Player of the Week.
Prior to wearing the Red and Blue, Almqvist played professionally in Sweden, earning medals at the Swedish Championship, Nordic Championship, and European Championship.
Groetsch, from Sewickley, Pa., boasts a similarly spectacular career. Last year, she was one of three players to start all 28 games and placed third on the team for overall rebounds, totaling 131 over the season for an average of 4.7 per game.
She’s excited to serve as captain alongside Almqvist, who she calls her best friend off the court as well.
“Honestly, it's just a huge honor,” Almqvist said. “Since my freshman year, I've always looked up to the upperclassmen, and I've been really lucky to play with an awesome group of girls, so to be in that position to lead the underclassmen below me and carry on the tradition of Penn basketball is just a huge honor.”
The main way she believes her capacity on the team will shift in the coming year is being more vocal.
She added that she believes her experience will aid her the most as captain.
“I know what it feels like not to play, and I know what it feels like to play,” Groetsch added. “I'm battle-tested, so helping to steer the ship when things get rocky and keep everybody calm is my goal.”
Groetsch certainly has the chops to achieve her goal: A dynamic opponent, she excels on both sides of the court, from defense to racking it up on the score sheet. Groetsch has attributed some of her trademark toughness and grit to training with her dad and brothers growing up.
“I definitely think having two older brothers makes you a little bit tougher and helps you with some of the aggressiveness required in basketball,” Groetsch said. “My dad would be putting all of us through workouts ever since I was really young. I was just always in the gym watching my brothers play. Then I started to play.”
Coach Mike McLaughlin praised both captains for their growth over the years.
“When you see them both walk in as freshmen and see where they're at now in terms of maturity, their growth, their selflessness … I want them to lead by storytelling, telling [the team] where they once were, where they need to get to, what tough games look like, and the experience of being at Penn,” he said.
By leading the way through their experience, he hopes they will help the team grow better leaders and younger leaders.
“In order to be a great leader, you have to bring the best out in everyone,” he added. “So, I think we got two special ones.”
Groetsch recognized the impact of her predecessors,
adding that last year’s captains — Jordan Obi, Floor Toonders, and Michaela Stanfield — were “awesome.”
“I feel like we just had a mentality of playing together and getting better every day,” she said. “It's something that's been instilled in all of us, just competing really
hard every day, and that’s something Stina and I are trying to reinforce.”
She is looking forward to the team’s first game and added that the team has definitely grown a lot since her freshman year.
“Things are shaping up really well,” Groetsch said. “We're
competing really hard and putting in a lot of work. Our goal right now is to get better every day and learn from each game and practice, and see how good we can get."
Penn women’s basketball will start its season this Friday at home against Merrimack.
WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Women's basketball announced senior guards Stina Almqvist and Lizzy Groetsch as their captains for the 2024-2025 season.
History has been made. Introducing Penn women’s basketball freshman guard
Ashna Tambe, the first player of Indian American descent to join the Quakers basketball program in its over-50-year history.
The Dallas native is a product of The Hockaday School, where she became the first player to pass 1,000 points, scoring the most in the school’s history and serving as team captain in both her junior and senior year. Tambe recalls her basketball journey starting at the age of five, and that she “hasn’t dropped the ball since,” crediting much of her success to her mother, who played basketball at the national level in India before immigrating to the United States.
“My mom is the reason I am where I am today,” Tambe said. “She was my main coach when I was young. To this day, even though basketball has changed and I know more about present basketball, we still have one hour pregame talks. She sets my mind right.”
Alongside the school team, Tambe played American Athletic Union basketball throughout her youth career on both the Adidas and Under Armour circuits. On the latter, Tambe wore the No. 10 jersey as a tribute to her mother.
In a sport dominated by height, 5-foot-7 Tambe has learned how to “find her advantage and excel” as a smaller combo guard. Tambe’s jumper is one of her primary weapons, which she uses as a means to stretch the floor.
“Everyone can shoot,” Tambe said. “But can they shoot from three feet further back?”
Tambe also cited her basketball IQ as a major advantage, one that she believes gives her an edge over more physically gifted opponents.
“You can’t really teach that,” Tambe said. “No matter how big you are, how strong you are, you have to know the game in and out and see a play before it happens."
These skills have allowed the combo guard to identify the advantage against bigger opponents, drive in the paint, and dish out the ball to open opportunities, a role that could be very fitting for the Quakers this season alongside sophomore standout guard and 2024 Ivy League Rookie of the Year Mataya Gayle.
Making history: Freshman Ashna Tambe is first Indian American player to don the Red and Blue
The Dallas native hopes to pave a path for other Indian American women's basketball players
With Gayle, who primarily serves as point guard, bringing the ball up the floor, Tambe hopes to move into a combo role, noting the fastpaced dynamic of the team as a factor that drew her to the program. Tambe specifically referenced Gayle, as well as former Penn star and fellow Asian American player Kayla Padilla.
“The reason why I chose Penn out of other schools is because I saw the way they developed their guards,” Tambe said. “Of course Kayla Padilla, and all that she was, and now Mataya [Gayle] — I found that I could fit into this system.”
Within that system Tambe hopes to help the Quakers push past their finishes from previous campaigns. Though Penn has qualified for Ivy Madness in each of the last two seasons, it has “usually ma[de] it to the Ivy League tournament,” Tambe
said before adding that she “[wants] to win the tournament.”
“I want to play at this big stage so that I can show other little girls that they can do it too. If they work hard, put in the work, they can be where I am also."
The team, which has welcomed six new rookies, has bonded over pickup play and practice, as well as the summer games in Italy and Croatia. Tambe noted the valuable advice given by the upperclassmen to the large recruiting class. She said that the team’s veteran players have made a concerted effort to welcome the newcomers, including teaching
new platform, especially the role she plays in inspiring the next generation.
“I want to excel,” Tambe said. “I want to play at this big stage so that I can show other little girls that they can do it too. If they work hard, put in the work, they can be where I am also.”
Last summer, Tambe was selected to play in the AMAZN All-Star East Showcase, an assembly of the greatest Asian high school senior basketball talent from across the Western United States and Canada. AMAZN HQ aims to uplift Asian and Asian American athletes and has been supported by former NBA player and Harvard standout Jeremy Lin.
Reflecting on her time at the showcase, Tambe acknowledged the stark contrast to her typical high school experience.
“I had one teammate that was Asian throughout my high school career,” Tambe said. “It was so amazing to see so many people of different ethnicities, but one thing I noticed is that there still weren’t many Indian Americans. We are still a minority within the minority when it comes to sports, especially basketball.”
Mentorship appears to play a large role in the rookie’s life, whether it be through role models such as her mother or her teammates and coaches. Outside of aspiring young players on the court, Tambe is passionate about helping those in her community.
them how to run plays to women’s basketball coach Mike McLaughlin’s specifications.
Much of Tambe’s motivation stems from a desire to combat the Indian American minority in the sport of basketball.
“Growing up, I never had a role model other than my mother to look up to and be like, ‘they did that. They went through that,’” Tambe said. “Even going to tournaments around the country, I barely saw any Indian Americans, so that slowly started becoming my why.”
There are currently no players of Indian descent playing in the NBA or WNBA. In 2015, Sim Bhullar, an undrafted 2014 NBA candidate, became the first player of Indian descent to sign with the NBA when he found a spot on the Sacramento Kings roster for a 10-day contract, before being waived and playing for various G League affiliates.
Tambe acknowledges her
During high school, Tambe and her brother organized a basketball camp for the female students in the town of Terlingua, Texas. The school, not having an established basketball team, let alone a proper court, ran the program with Tambe for two years.
“I wanted to show the girls what they could do,” Tambe said. “It was amazing to see how much love and passion these girls have because they don’t have the resources to do so, and how lucky I am to be in my position.”
The school has since developed a team of its own and now competes against other teams along the Texas border. Tambe maintains close ties to the school, and hopes to expand the efforts to Philadelphia.
Now, with four years of college basketball on the horizon, Tambe can take joy in the fact that she has already made history.
SONALI CHANDY Sports Reporter
ASHNA TAMBE Freshman guard
SONALI CHANDY | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Freshman guard Ashna Tambe poses on top of a hoop in the Palestra on Oct. 30.
Late game heroics: Men’s basketball rallies from 17 down to win first game of season
Junior guard Ethan Roberts makes free throw in final second to seal game versus NJIT
JUSTIN LEE Sports Reporter
The Highlanders became the low scorers as Penn men’s basketball opened up its season with a 58-57 win. Down by as much as 17 in the second half, the Quakers (1-0) took the lead in the final 10 minutes of the game.
“Honestly, there was just a lot of things that weren’t going our way today,” senior forward/ center Nick Spinoso said. “I’m just proud of the guys. We figured out a way to win.”
The Quakers welcomed six new players of their own onto the team — four freshmen and two transfers. During his time at the Red and Blue Scrimmage, junior transfer guard Dylan Williams and junior transfer forward Ethan Roberts quickly became two dominant players on the court. Those performances were echoed tonight, with Williams and Roberts scoring 17 and 15 points, respectively.
NJIT’s (0-1) made their first jumper by guard Jake Goldberg two minutes into the match, and it was a great sign of things to come. The Quakers were off to a sloppy start, with most of their plays ending with missed layups and free throws. The Highlanders were able to force frequent turnovers, with guards Tariq Francis and Sebastian Robinson leading the charge.
The lack of control forced Penn to call an early timeout with 10 minutes still left to go in the first half. Francis’ and Robinson’s individual performances each outscored the entirety of the points made by the Quakers. With five minutes to go in the half, the duo had combined for 19 of NJIT’s 30 points. This offensive duo was a formidable problem for the Penn defense, as their ability to make deep three-pointers only widened NJIT’s lead.
Going into halftime, the Quakers were facing a 12-point deficit. The stats were also looking grim: The Quakers made only 11.1% of their three-point shots, which was dwarfed by NJIT’s 41.7%. If
the Quakers wanted to win, they needed something to change — and quickly.
The Quakers started the second half with Roberts capitalizing on a foul by going 3-for-3 on free throws, marking a shift from the missed free throws by the Red and Blue in the first half. But this momentum quickly died out when the Highlanders offense delivered a string of three-pointers to amass a 15point lead.
It was Williams’ turn to step up on offense, and he did so accordingly. After a three-pointer off the assist from Spinoso, Williams quickly became the man to watch on the Quakers offense. Six minutes into the second half, Williams was leading the Quakers on offense with 16 points. But Williams struggled to maintain that success, missing a string of layups and free throws as the half progressed.
A push in the last 10 minutes of play was all the Red and Blue needed to overcome the deficit. Spinoso reentering the game with just over nine minutes left to play ultimately proved the difference. Despite a missed free throw, he quickly closed the gap with a layup to bring the score to 46-52. On the other end of the court, Roberts forced a shotclock violation and made two ensuing free throws, which cut NJIT’s lead to just two.
“It was an obvious team effort,” Spinoso said. “[We] had some big shots down the stretch. It was great. It was everybody.”
After a blocked Williams shot dropped into the hands of sophomore guard Sam Brown, the crafty guard found an open lane to tie the game up for the first time all night. After a back-andforth segment of play, with under three minutes left in the game, Roberts made a layup, giving the Quakers the lead for the first time all night with the score at 55-54.
The final two minutes were marked by a defensive stand that
Junior guard/forward Ethan Roberts poses with a basketball at Williams Hall on Sep. 21.
allowed the Quakers to protect their lead. A layup by Roberts put the Quakers up three, but an and-one by Sebastian Roberts tied the score with a minute left. The game was looking like it would enter overtime, but a foul by Francis on Ethan Roberts gave the Quakers a chance to seal the deal in regulation time.
Ethan Roberts delivered to give Penn a one-point lead with one second left to play. An airball from a Highlanders player as the clock flashed zeros meant that the Quakers had clawed their way to their first win of the season.
“I would have been appalled had [that shot] gone in, but it felt
good,” Roberts said. “I’m so glad our team persevered and we were able to come out with it.”
Penn men’s basketball will return to the court as it faces off against UMD Eastern Shore at the Palestra on Nov. 7.
“I’m just proud of the guys,” Spinoso said. “I’m excited to get to work with them every day.
WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
The small town of Port Washington, N.Y. rarely produces Division I athletes. Many end up prioritizing academics over athletics (such as a certain former varsity baseball player writing this article) or simply don’t have the physical ability to get on the radar of top-tier programs. But every few years, an outlier is born with the perfect combination of dedication, physical gifts, and a love for a sport.
In 2002, Nick Spinoso was born. The 6-foot-9 senior forward/center was destined to play basketball from the second he could walk — or dribble. His father, Gerard, spent his college years playing basketball at C.W. Post on Long Island, about 10 minutes from where Nick played his high school games at Kellenberg Memorial.
“[Going to Kellenberg] was great. I loved it. On the basketball side, we weren’t too good,” Spinoso said, chuckling. “But I loved going to a Catholic high school. I loved the people, loved the teachers, it was a great experience.”
After his time at Kellenberg, Spinoso was determined to elevate his play to garner the D-I offers he knew he was capable of attaining. He spent his post-grad prep year at the Canterbury School in Connecticut.
“I had not, honestly, a lot going on at the end of my senior year, and then I decided to do a prep year. And that summer, even though it was
Team captain Nick Spinoso hopes to guide men's basketball to championship titles
The Port Washington, N.Y. native will play an important role as a veteran presence in a relatively young locker room
COVID, we got to play a few tournaments, and I got some recognition. And then once I was at Canterbury, I got a few offers,” Spinoso said.
Spinoso’s younger brother, John, is taking a similar path by transferring to a prep school — Cheshire Academy. The relationship between the two brothers runs deep, and while they won’t be able to play for the same team, Spinoso is still invested in his brother’s eventual choice.
“[My favorite experience] off the court, I guess even though it is on the court, I had my brother come and visit me, and we just got to walk around the school. It was really cool showing him around,” Spinoso said.
While his brother’s recruiting and college experience is just getting started, Spinoso is nearing the end of his Quakers career.
As a senior and captain, Spinoso wants to end his time at the Palestra with a bang and a banner.
LUCAS
MILGRIM Deputy Sports Editor
“Last year I had a decent year, and we didn’t win. It sucks. I think we’re just so bought in and so focused on winning this year that that’s what you can expect from us,” Spinoso said. “[My goals are to] win a Big 5 and Ivy League championship.”
To get to a point where he feels capable to add two trophies to
"I think there’s a competitive maturity about him. His work ethic is terrific, he competes. He’s a great teammate, but there’s a little more seriousness dedicated to winning. I think that’s matured over the last three years."
STEVE DONAHUE
Men's basketball coach
Penn’s case, Spinoso has needed to develop as a player and as a leader. Especially as one of the elder members of this year’s relatively young team, he will need to play an important role on the court and in the locker room.
“I think Nick has done an incredible job over his four years of really maturing. That’s probably the biggest thing that jumps out at me,” coach Steve Donahue said. “He’s always a great kid and upbeat and fun. Now I think there’s a competitive maturity about him. His work ethic is terrific, he competes. He’s a great teammate, but there’s a little more seriousness dedicated to winning. I think that’s matured over the last three years.”
That competitive maturity was stressed by Spinoso as well. Being motivated, driven, and emotionally invested in winning, while still being mature and in control, is something he has learned to value
over the years and now preaches to his teammates. He and his senior teammates understand the importance of intangibles like these in the success of the team.
“I mean me, George [Smith] and Reese [McMullen], we talk so often, a few times a week, just about knowing how we can be better as a group,” Spinoso said. “Especially being a senior and a captain, everything you do is kind of magnified, and you have to think about what you’re doing, and just setting an example and precedent for not only anybody in the program, but anybody who is looking at them.”
While the non-basketball skills and growth are important, so is the on-court product. Spinoso, a strong ball handler for a big man, played a point-forward role in many games last year, commanding the offense with the ball in his hands. This year, that might be set to change.
“My anticipation is that Nick’s going to be receiving that more at the end of possession,” Donahue said.
Despite his efficiency and high assist rate last year, Donahue hopes that the addition of a few stronger wings and the development of sophomore guard Sam Brown as a floor general will allow Spinoso to work more under the rim. In his final year in the Red and Blue, Spinoso hopes his roles, both new and old, will propel his Quakers to pick up some hardware.
WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Senior forward/center Nick Spinoso poses with a basketball in Williams Hall on Sept. 26.
WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
'It’s a whole family here': Senior guard Stina Almqvist has one last season with the Quakers
Ahead of her last season, the newly named team captain and Swedish native reflects on her time with the Red and Blue
KRISTEL RAMBAUD Sports Reporter
Three years can go by in the blink of an eye.
One day, you step onto Locust Walk knowing no one and unsure of where to go. The next, you’re a senior and you’ve stepped onto Locust Walk more times than you can count. It’s an age-old story of change that accompanies the college years.
And such is true for senior guard Stina Almqvist.
Three years ago, Almqvist arrived in Philadelphia. The trip was a long one — a nearly 12-hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Almqvist hails from Sweden, where she grew up playing basketball for as long as she can remember.
Her family and life have always been interwoven with basketball. Her father Fredrik has been coaching for the past 40 years in her small hometown of Kinna, Sweden. Fredrik managed a local club while Almqvist's mother Marie also served as a board member. Her older sister Jonna played basketball. As such, the Almqvist path was clear.
“Either you sit there and watch or you get on the court
and play,” Almqvist said.
And so, Almqvist laced up her shoes. Discussion about basketball circled around their dining table and NBA games played on the TV. While her father has not coached her since high school, Fredrik remains a large presence in her play, watching every Penn game and debriefing them with her. Almqvist returns the favor, watching every game her father coaches.
“He’s the reason I play basketball and the reason why I’m doing what I’m doing every day,” Almqvist said.
Under her father's tutelage, Almqvist began to flourish. She played in a professional league for two years and was invited to play for every Swedish youth national team from the U15 to U20 level. While a part of those teams, she collected medals of every color: bronze, silver, and gold.
Almqvist brought that experience to the United States. Now suited in Red and Blue instead of yellow and blue, she became a rotational player from the start, becoming a consistent off-the-bench presence over the course of her freshman and
sophomore seasons.
But after the 202223 season, the team graduated several seniors, including standout players Kayla Padilla, Mandy McGurk, and Sydnei Caldwell. After their graduation, Almqvist’s minutes increased, as did her role; due to a string of frontcourt injuries, the coaches urged Almqvist to play more like a forward.
“For me, it’s been a lot of fun,” Almqvist said. “It’s opened up a whole new opportunity for me in the offensive side scoring-wise that I did not have before at all.”
And score she did.
After starting in 27 of 28 games last year, Almqvist’s averages skyrocketed from 3.4 points per game to 15.3, which led the whole team. But it was not just scoring — Almqvist became a secondary interior presence for the Quakers, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game and 1.1 blocks per game, both good for second on the team. The season earned her second-team All-Ivy honors.
But Almqvist’s value goes beyond the stat sheet. Now, after three years on the Red and Blue, Almqvist has been
tapped as team captain, alongside fellow senior guard Lizzy Groetsch.
“When you see them both walk in as freshman and see where they’re at now in terms of maturity, their growth, their selflessness,” coach Mike McLaughlin said. “But I think in order to be a great leader, you got to bring the best out of everyone. So I think we got two special ones.”
The title is not one that Almqvist takes lightly. She takes inspiration from the captains that came before her and seeks to emulate their greatest qualities.
“It means a lot because the captains I’ve had during my time here at Penn have been great,” Almqvist said. “I remember coming in here and everything was so new. School’s hard, basketball’s hard, everything is just hard in the beginning, so just trying to adjust and balance.”
Having been in their shoes a few short years ago, Almqvist hopes to make the freshmen players’ transitions easier and keep them excited to play more basketball in her final year at Penn.
But most importantly, Almqvist wants to keep that family aspect on the team that has been so formative for her. In Sweden, there were limited basketball courts and a large number of teams seeking to use them, meaning practices were stricter in terms of time. And because many of her teammates on the professional circuit were older, they had their own lives to attend to and could not bond the way Almqvist is able to with her teammates now.
“It’s a whole family here,” she said. “You spend so much time with them — it’s so different … It’s not only that we go to practice. When practice ends, we go to have dinner together. It’s all that and I think that’s different.”
Now, Almqvist has one final season to cherish the college basketball experience. There are many things to be excited for this season — the new Big 5 Classic, the Ivy League matches and the Ivy League tournament, and a pair of rematches with rival Princeton. But for Almqvist, the moments with her family, but in Sweden and the States, will always mean the most.
Senior guard Stina Almqvist poses at Williams Hall on Sept. 20.
Men’s basketball 2024 Ivy League power rankings: preseason
Following a 3-11 conference campaign last year, how do the Quakers stack up in the Ancient Eight?
CALEB CRAIN
Former Sports Editor
Last year, Penn men’s basketball couldn’t capitalize on a strong start to the season — including a win over then-No. 21 Villanova at the Palestra — and ended the season No. 7 in the Ivy League conference. This meant that for the first time in at least three years, the Quakers missed out on the annual Ivy League men's basketball tournament. Now, seeking to return to postseason play, here is how Penn ranks in the Ancient Eight based on Ivy League performance in the 2023-24 season with games beginning this week.
1. PRINCETON
(24 - 5, 12 -2 IVY)
Ivy play a season ago. Whether other players can step up to help Williams remains the key question for Cornell heading into the season as the Big Red seek to return to Ivy Madness.
5. PENN (11-18, 3 -11)
Zavian McLean means that someone new will have to step up to complement last year’s leading scorer, guard Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa.
7. HARVARD
(14 -13, 5 - 9)
2. YALE (23 -10, 11-3)
The Bulldogs shocked the nation with a win over Auburn in the first round of March Madness a season ago. This time, they should remain the biggest challengers for Princeton throughout the conference season. The loss of Danny Wolf — Yale’s top scorer and the conference’s best rebounder from last year — is the team’s biggest hurdle to overcome if it hopes to reach March Madness once again. But a backcourt duo of Bez Mbeng and John Poulakidas should be a strong point of coach James Jones’ squad.
Last year, the Tigers had a strong regular season before falling short at the Ivy League men's basketball tournament and failing to secure a bid to March Madness. They did this by combining a strong offense with a league-best defense, allowing just 66.1 points per game in conference play. Princeton returns the Ivy League’s two best scorers from a year ago with guard Xaivian Lee and forward Caden Pierce, so they should remain the class of the Ivy League this year as well.
3. BROWN (13 -18, 8 - 6)
A A season ago, Brown rode the dynamic duo of guard Kino Lilly Jr. and forward Nana Owusu-Anane’s combined 33 points per game to a winning record in conference play and a spot in the conference tournament. These two players both return and should remain key pieces for the Bears this season. Coach Mike Martin and this squad could very well take another leap and slot solidly into the second tier of teams behind the Tigers and Bulldogs.
4. CORNELL
(22 - 8, 11-3)
The Big Red had the Ivy League’s best offense in the 2023-24 season, averaging 82.1 points per game against conference foes. But the team’s leading scorer — guard Chris Manon — is gone, so much of the offensive burden will fall on guard Nazir Williams, who averaged 14.1 points per game in
After losing key pieces to the transfer portal in back-to-back off seasons, coach Steve Donahue and the Quakers went on the offensive heading into this campaign, getting pieces such as junior guards Dylan Williams, Michael Zanoni, and Ethan Roberts from the transfer portal. While only time will tell how much these new players will contribute this season, they represent chances at improvement for a Quakers team, which suffered an unusually bad campaign last year. If all goes according to plan, the Quakers should be in contention for an Ivy Madness spot all the way through the season.
6.
COLUMBIA
(13 -14, 4 -10)
Last season, Columbia’s middle-of-the-pack offense was negated by a conferenceworst defense, as the Lions gave up nearly 72.4 points per game. This will likely be a point of emphasis for them as the Lions hope to improve. On the offensive end, the loss of guard
The Crimson also lost important players via transfer this off season, as reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year, guard Malik Mack, left for the Georgetown Hoyas and forward Chisom Okpara — the team’s leading scorer — went to the Stanford Cardinals via the transfer portal. Replacing them will be tough for Harvard, and players like guard Louis Lesmond will have to play a major role. With this, it’s hard to see Harvard finishing near the top half of the Ancient Eight standings this season.
8. DARTMOUTH
(6 -21, 2 -12)
Finally, there’s Dartmouth. The Big Green finished last in many statistical categories last season, including points per game, field goal percentage, and rebounds per game. Furthermore, their 13.4 point difference in Ivy games was a full eight points below the next lowest team on the list. With so much to change, don’t expect Dartmouth to improve substantially this season.
The Editors' forecast: Penn basketball 2024-25
How will the Quakers fare this year on the men's and women's sides?
WALKER CARNATHAN,
SPORTS EDITOR
Men’s Basketball — 5th
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 Nick Spinoso and Sam Brown, and expect more wins at the Palestra than a season ago.
Women’s Basketball — 3rd
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 the Ivy League’s 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 fourthplace finish last season, I see Gayle taking another step forward and guiding the Red and Blue to a topthree seed. And in Ivy Madness, anything can happen.
VIVIAN YAO, SPORTS EDITOR
Men’s Basketball — 6th
Penn men’s basketball had a rough go of it in Ivy League play last year, and the offseason didn’t treat the team any kinder. 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 shake up could see Penn moving up from its predicted seventh place finish to sixth. The team is far from a title contender, but under head coach Steve Donahue’s veteran leadership, it can definitely play stunner this year.
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 All-Ivy first-teamer 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 Gayle and 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 — 3rd
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 Dylan Williams on the team as his distributing playstyle takes a load off of the need for designed plays - but who exactly is he distributing too? Incoming sophomore Sam Brown will be depended on in an increased role as he looks to light it up from 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 freshman as they bolster up for an Ivy League run.
Women’s Basketball - 2nd
Penn’s returning faces means good things for the Quakers with major overturn in the Ivy League. The Ancient 8 has seen three first team All-Ivy Members leave this offseason,with reigning champs Princeton losing program greats Ellie Mitchell, and Kaityln Chen (both First Team All-Ivy). Last year’s second place Columbia is also losing Aby 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 Almqvst and Rookie of the Year Mataya Gayle will be looked towards to make up the production from Penn’s own loss of First Team All-Ivy member Jordan Obibut 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 — 7th 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 ever bigger role both o ensively and defensively. Despite his ability and strong frontcourt led by se-
nior 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—3rd
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.
PHOTO BY WEINING DING | SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Sports editors Sean McKeown, Vivian Yao, Walker Carnathan, and Lucas Milgrim pose in The Daily Pennsylvanian office on Nov. 5.
