Penn Quakers: Are they heating up at the right time?

By Phil Naegely | Feb 20, 2017

Dec 3, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pennsylvania Quakers guard Darnell Foreman (4) dribbles against Temple Owls guard Alani Moore II (2) during the first half at Liacouras Center. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Penn Quakers men’s basketball is playing some of their best basketball of the season right now. It may pay off as the regular season wraps up shortly.

The 2016-17 season for both men’s and women’s basketball is different than past season for the Ivy League. It’s the first time that the Ivy League will have a postseason tournament instead of declaring their automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament to the regular season. This bodes well for teams like the Penn Quakers, who are currently in a tie for the four seed with Columbia but, own the tiebreaker between the two teams due to head-to-head record.

Penn has won four straight games. This is its longest winning streak in program history since the Quakers won seven games during the 2011-12 season. The last two games against Brown and Yale were both away from The Palestra.

As Penn athletic communications pointed out in Sunday’s post-game recap, “the last time Penn swept an Ivy road weekend with a pair of double-digit wins was its first two games during its last championship season during the 2006-07 season.”

The Quakers are doing some great things lately and hitting some accomplishments they haven’t done in some time. Four of Penn’s five starters scored 10 or more points against Yale. Devon Goodman also hit double-digit points in only 29 minutes off the bench. Penn’s attack is coming from multiple people. This bodes well down the stretch as the offensive game isn’t limited to one individual.

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With the introduction of an Ivy League post-season tournament, Penn is one of the many schools to benefit. Likewise, their recent winning streak helps the Quakers of finding a way into the action. It would mean more games for the team especially the squad’s two seniors, Matt Howard and Dylan Jones.

However, Penn has its work cut out for them still. There are four games left in the regular season with the next two on the road. Penn needs to find a way to win at least on of two on the road and then win both games at home to have a good chance of qualifying for the Ivy League tournament. If they can make the tournament, the Quakers will have home court advantage throughout as Penn is hosting the inaugural event.

All in all, Penn is playing their best basketball of the season right now. Penn plays Cornell and Columbia on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Both of those matches are on the road. Earlier this season, Penn beat each team at the Palestra. After the road trip end, Penn comes back home to face Dartmouth and Harvard to wrap up the regular season. Dartmouth has only won three conference games this season. On the other hand, Harvard is on a four-game winning streak like Penn currently.

Next: Temple falters down the stretch to UConn

Can the Penn Quakers keep its winning streak going? Quakers fans will find out over the next two weeks. Penn is getting out at the right time but these last four results have major implications on the season as a whole. Penn basketball has a big week of two road games ahead.

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