November 11, 2021

THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN | THEDP.COM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

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Table of Contents 04

Profile of Jelani Williams

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Profile of Stina Almqvist

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The five biggest games

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A look at the newcomers

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ANIKA GURURAJ

KRISTEL RAMBAUD

CHARLIE MA

DEREK WONG & ALEXIS GARCIA

Women's power rankings ANDREA MENDOZA & MATTHEW FRANK

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Men's power rankings

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Red and Blue scrimmages

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Q&A with Mike McLaughlin

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Q&A with Steve Donahue

JACKSON JOFFE

JOEY PIATT

JOEY PIATT

JOEY PIATT

CREDITS Sports Editors: Lochlahn March Brandon Pride Nicky Belgrad Matthew Frank Sports Reporters: Joey Piatt Anika Gururaj Kristel Rambaud Derek Wong Alexis Garcia Charlie Ma Jackson Joffe Krissy Kowalski Andrea Mendoza Photo: Kylie Cooper Samantha Turner Design: Isabel Liang

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THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN | THEDP.COM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

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ntering his fifth year as a guard for the Quakers, senior Jelani Williams’ journey has been plagued by injury, but serves as a shining example of persistence.

Having gone through not one, not two, but three ACL tears, he demonstrates the importance of mental fortitude in sport, and how contributions to a team can be made off the court. Despite being a veteran on the team, this year will mark his collegiate debut, leading the Red and Blue as co-captain with junior guard Lucas Monroe.

Since high school, Williams' prospects have been bright.

“From day one, he came in with the attitude where he wanted to be a great player and learn, exhibiting leadership abilities, even as a freshman, which is amazing to do. He took the bull by the horns and became a leader,” Eric Singletary, head coach at Williams' high school, Sidwell Friends, said.

This commitment and talent was apparent to many others as well, stirring up excitement among Penn’s recruiters. “[The previous staff] told me about someone who was an incredible leader and excited about Penn,” Steve Donahue, who had assumed the role of head coach for the Quakers during Williams' senior year of high school, said. “I just thought [Williams] was someone we could build a program around. I was here in the 90s...

Williams has suffered he kind of reminded me of those guys who three ACL tears | ANIKA GURURAJ were all about winning and loved to compete."

In his senior year of high school, Williams suffered his first ACL tear, which raised doubts within himself about whether he could re-establish his level of performance pre-injury. This injury, however, did not deter his aspirations for coming to Penn.

“I wanted to come here and win every year. I knew I was coming into a program that hadn’t won in some time, so for me it was all about bringing Penn back to where it had been historically,” Williams said.

After staying on the bench his freshman season, Williams prepared to make his collegiate debut in his sophomore year, but that was disrupted by a second ACL tear over the summer. While this was incredibly disappointing, he focused on making an impact for his team off the court.

“I had a different perspective, being on the bench," Williams said. "You can see things the guys on the court can’t, so I wanted to take advantage of that, and give them some insight during timeouts and halftime, kind of like another coach on the bench."

The misfortune persisted in the form of yet another ACL tear in his sophomore year, prompting him to introspect and decide to withdraw for one semester.

Williams only has positive comments SAMANTHA TURNER about his semester off.

Senior guard Jelani Williams dribbles past the East Stroudsburg defense to pass to “That was the semester that really got the other side during the scrimmage on Oct. 30. me over the hump," he said. "Going to

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Jelani Williams serves as model of perseverance for Penn men's basketball

school here is pretty stressful itself and having to watch practices everyday was hard for me, because I’d rather be out there, so I decided to work from home and really knock on the rehabilitation process.

I also worked with a therapist to get my headspace right, and came back stronger."

He also spent that time teaching his little brother the game. The coaching helped him remain connected to basketball in a more relaxed manner.

Looking to the year ahead, Williams will officially lead the Quakers as co-captain. The team is more inexperienced than previous years, with many young players looking to him for guidance. The team has also lost AJ Brodeur, the program’s all-time leading scorer, who graduated in 2020.

“The only thing that I expect from myself is to stay consistent in my leadership every day," Williams said. "I think we have a team that can compete for a championship and I want to help the team get better and hit our stride emotionally for

“I wanted to come here and win every year. I knew I was coming into a program that hadn’t won in some time, so for me it was all about bringing Penn back to where it had been historically.”

Ivy League basketball in January.”

Williams' perseverance serves as a model for others on the team.

“I think most people would give up after three ACL tears. I’ve learned never to give up from Jelani," Monroe said. "When I face some adversity, I look at Jelani and think, ‘He’s still on the court, you have no excuse.’”

Donahue is looking forward to finally seeing his captain in game action.

“Over the last month [Williams] has got a little of his explosion back," Donahue said. "His cardio fitness is at a higher level, everything is improving."

Williams' journey serves as motivation to his teammates when they feel beaten down. Williams embodies one of the lessons ingrained into Penn men's basketball players — grit.

“He looks at the game differently than he did as an 18-year-old freshman," Donahue said. "His injuries have given him more understanding and appreciation for what everyone is going through, which will all make him better both as a player and leader.”

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OVERCOMING TRAGEDY,

Stina Almqvist LOOKS TO MAKE HER MARK ON PENN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Almqvist comes to Penn after a childhood surrounded by a basketball family | KRISTEL RAMBAUD

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40 years and even coached his daughter until she was 14. Additionally, her sister Jonna also plays basketball in a Swedish professional league. Her family’s love for basketball made her own love and passion

“Ever since they passed away, I’ve been trying to work as hard as I can,” Almqvist said. “They, especially him, did not have the chance to play anymore.

And I feel like he would do anything to just get back on the court.”

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got her visa.

The timing was perfect. A week later, the embassy in Poland shut down. In the end, only around 30% of Swedes trying to study in America received a visa.

Going through those hurdles to be cleared to play in America has made Almqvist more aware of her situation. She wouldn't be taking this opportunity for granted.

Almqvist knows that she’s in a lucky position, and that many others would dream to be where she’s currently at. She also has a strong love and passion for the game, and family back home supporting her.

She also has a dear friend motivating her every day to be better.

In April 2017, when she was just in the eighth grade, Almqvist went with her several of her classmates for a skiing trip in the spring. However, the bus tipped over, leading to serious injuries and the deaths of three of her classmates – one of whom had been a childhood teammate and a close friend.

“Ever since they passed away, I’ve been trying to work as hard as I can,” Almqvist said. “They, especially him, did not have the chance to play anymore. And I feel like he would do anything to just get back on the court.”

The memory of her friend keeps her going. He inspires her to be a better basketball player than she was yesterday and to continuously work hard.

Almqvist wanted to honor his memory by wearing his No. 8 jersey, but unfortunately, NCAA rules prohibit any basketball jersey numbers to have the digits of six, seven, eight, and nine.

Regardless, Almqvist still remembers her friend each and every game.

“I’m just trying to play for him whenever I go out there,” she said.

Now, she tries to “enjoy every moment, because you never know [how] fast life can be over.”

Almqvist has done a lot in her life, from international tournaments to gold medal games. But even then, she does not take anything for granted and makes the most of every day.

BASKETBALL PREVIEW

for the game grow.

“Having a basketball family was always motivating," Almqvist said. “They always kept me being better all the time.”

Growing up with a professional team very close by also influenced her basketball career as she grew up. Instead of looking up to NBA or WNBA players as inspirations, she cited her local players as the ones she “always looked up to.” One such player was Ashley Key, who played in Sweden after a collegiate career at North Carolina State.

But with a new year dawning, Almqvist left behind Sweden to come play for the Red and Blue – thousands of miles away from her home and family.

“It’s been hard and a challenge,” she said. “But I feel like it is getting easier every day, and I’m learning so much all the time.”

The change of time zone and

measurement system is not the only thing she’s had to adjust to. While the rules of basketball may be the same internationally, Almqvist has found that the culture surrounding basketball is different in the United States compared to Europe.

“Here, in the States, they focus more on the team,” Almqvist said. “Whether or not you’re the top player that plays 40 minutes or the bench player – you’re both equally valued. You matter as much even though you’re a bench player, and the coaches see that.”

She says it is a change of pace from the way teams operated in Sweden. She described how in Sweden, it was more so the opposite. Back in Sweden, there was a heavy emphasis on winning games at all costs and players trying to score as much as possible to boost their stats.

But the focus on team chemistry and camaraderie has been one of the many benefits of playing at Penn thus far.

“My teammates now are like my best friends,” Almqvist said. “Here, we’re having team dinners – we’re really close.

I know everybody on a personal level, [which] really helps as well. We see each other in classes, we eat dinners together.”

It’s been a change from having most of her teammates be strictly teammates to now having a community of friends she can rely on.

And to think, the COVID-19 pandemic could’ve prevented all that from happening.

With the pandemic going on, Almqvist had to work swiftly to get her visa, so that she could play in America as scheduled.

With the American embassy in Sweden closed, she had to make a rushed appointment for the nearest open American embassy.

The only problem? It was in Poland.

In August, she traveled with two of her other classmates from Sweden to Poland for a long trip, which included a flight and several hours of driving on top of it. She made it to Poland just in time for her interview at the embassy. After several hours and a two-minute interview process, she

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

ost teenagers don’t have gold medals. Most haven’t played professionally in a sport for most of the year. Most didn’t represent their country in an international tournament.

But Stina Almqvist isn’t like most teenagers.

Almqvist, one of six incoming freshmen for Penn women’s basketball, has a list of accolades and international experience that most high school players only dream of. Born and raised as a citizen of Sweden, Almqvist spent her whole career playing in her home nation for both youth club and professional teams.

As part of her youth club team, she secured two gold medals and one bronze medal in the Swedish Championship.

She also secured two gold medals and one bronze at the Nordic Championship.

Almqvist even secured a gold medal competing as part of the Sweden Under-16 National team in the European Championship Division B. During her bronze model game in the Swedish championship, Almqvist scored a total of 50 points.

But her stat sheet isn’t what she remembers about the game; the missed opportunity to finish business is what she remembers most. To her, the game was a solemn reminder that her team lost out on a chance to three-peat as gold medalists in the Swedish championship. She’s a competitor through and through, focused on her team’s success and achieving excellence.

Almqvist's competitive nature carried over when she played professionally for two years. Her professional team was based in her small hometown, which made her professional career even more memorable and important to her.

“To play for them was very special to me,” Almqvist said. “It’s still special. My family is still very invested in the team.”

Her family’s dedication to the team is no surprise. She grew up in a family where basketball played an influential role, as her father has been a basketball coach for

EDWIN MEJIA Penn women's basketball freshman Stina Almqvist blocks a player on the opposing team during the Red and Blue scrimmage on Nov. 6.

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MA | PENN BASKETBALL'S

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BIGGEST GAMES OF THE UPCOMING SEASON

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BASKETBALL PREVIEW

In its first eight games of the season, the men's team faces off against three nationally ranked opponents | CHARLIE MA

Basketball is finally back for the Red and Blue. Penn men’s basketball enters the season fourth in preseason media polls in the Ivy League, while the women will start ranked second in the conference. Here are five of the biggest games of the season.

Men's vs. No. 20 Florida State - Nov. 10

The Quakers start their season on the road in Tallahassee, Fla., against a very talented Florida State team. Entering the season ranked No. 20 in preseason polls, the Seminoles have become one of the top programs in the country in the past few years — winning an ACC regular season championship during the 2019-20 season, making four straight NCAA tournament appearances, and three straight Sweet 16 appearances. Despite losing four of their top five scorers and their top three rebounders,

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Men's vs. No. 16 Arkansas - Nov. 28

The Red and Blue will take the road again to play another nationally ranked team, Arkansas. Currently ranked No. 16 in preseason polls, the Razorbacks are coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent memory as they made it all the way to the Elite Eight in last year’s NCAA tournament, only losing to the eventual national champion Baylor. Arkansas has five contributors returning from last season, including three with significant starting experience

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and Big East Player of the Year Collin Gillespie.

Alongside Gillespie are junior guard Justin Moore, who was announced to the watch list for the 2022 Jerry West Award, which is given to the country’s best collegiate shooting guard. Aenior forward Jermaine Samuels was also named to the Julius Erving Award Watchlist for the top forward in the country. The Red and Blue will need a lot to go their way if they want to pull off the upset.

Women's vs. Princeton - Jan. 17 & Mar. 5

Penn women’s basketball enters the season ranked second in the Ivy League according to preseason polls, behind only Princeton. The Tigers finished the most recent 2019-20 season with a 26-1 record and will be welcoming back some key pieces from that squad, including junior guard Julia Cunningham, who averaged 8.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, and senior guard Abby Meyers who averaged 6.3 points and 2.7 rebounds during the 2019-20

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in second team All-SEC sophomore guard Davonte Davis, sophomore forward Jaylin Williams, and junior center Connor Vanover. Furthermore, SEC Sixth Man of the Year senior guard JD Notae is also back, looking to once again make a valuable impact for the team.

It is without a doubt the Quakers will face not only tough competition but also a menacing environment as they must play in what will be a very loud and hostile crowd in Fayetteville, Ark.

Men's vs. No. 4 Villanova - Dec. 1

Coming off of their game against Arkansas, the Quakers will immediately be put up against the wall again when they play Villanova. The Wildcats will return to the Palestra for the first time since their upset loss to the Quakers in 2018, looking for revenge. Villanova enters the season ranked No. 4 according to preseason polls and are national championship contenders. The team has four of their five starters from a season ago returning, most notably fifth-year guard

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shot-blockers, and assist leaders from the previous season, the Seminoles still remain a dangerous team, adding two notable transfers in sophomore guard Caleb Mills from Houston and sophomore guard Cam'Ron Fletcher from Kentucky, in addition to three highly touted incoming freshmen in Matthew Cleveland, Jalen Warley, and John Butler. Looking to pick up right where they left off, the Seminoles will undoubtedly be a handful for the Red and Blue in their season opener.

season. However, Princeton will be playing for the first time without three-time Ivy Player of the Year Bella Alarie, who was the fifth overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft. Alarie has been an instrumental part of the Tigers’ success in recent years, so it will be interesting to see the team's identity without such a star player. If the Quakers hope to have a chance at the Ivy title, they will need to have good games against Princeton.

Men's vs. Yale - Jan. 22 & Feb. 18

Entering the season, Yale is the favorite to win the Ivy League in the men’s basketball preseason poll. Like the rest of the Ancient Eight, the Bulldogs have not taken the court since the 2019-2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Yale has some very important pieces returning to the team. Senior guard Azar Swain is back from the 23-7 campaign, where he was named first team

All-Ivy and set the Yale record for most threepointers in a season with 93. Additionally, senior guard Jalen Gabbidon is back for his final season.

Gabbidon will look to continue his success as the 2020 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year. If the Quakers hope to make a run at the Ivy League championship, they will need to play well against the Bulldogs.

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These newcomers will breathe new life into a team that has been on the bench for the past two years | DEREK WONG After adding many talented pieces to the team, Penn men's basketball is ready to play a full season at the Palestra once again . The team was unable to play last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning that both the sophomores and freshmen are going into play with no prior collegiate experience.

Michael Moshkovitz, junior forward Moshkovitz may have transferred to Penn just last year, but he is equipped with his international experience under his belt. The junior forward from Jerusalem played on the Israeli Under-20 National Team and with future NBA players. Moshkovitz gives the team a fresh and unique perspective as the team eyes a slot in this season’s March Madness.

Clark Slajchert, sophomore guard The 17th highest scorer in California history, Slajchert aims to continue his shooting streak at Penn.

The former team captain led his high school team to three Coastal Canyon League championships.

Andrew Laczkowski, sophomore guard

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The Dallas native who helped his high school team win the title at the 2020 Adidas Gauntlet, looks to help the Red and Blue this season with his strong work ethic and sense of teamwork. The former team captain scored 2,054 points in his high school career.

As an All-Region, All-Metro, and All-State player, McMullen was the starter and captain of his high school team — a MaxPreps National top-25 team during the 2020-21 season. Having scored more than 1,000 career points, this Memphis native looks to bring the energy to the Palestra with his impressive resume and skills.

George Smith, freshman guard

SAMANTHA TURNER Women's basketball players huddle at the beginning of the game against Yale at the Palestra on Feb. 2,

Marianna Papazoglou, freshman

Lizzy Groetsch, freshman

With a massive 6-foot-10 wingspan, Holland will fit like a glove with coach Steve Donahue’s offensive plays. This guard/forward and Philadelphia native was captain of his high school team, and was named first team Pennsylvania All-State Non-PIAA. Expect this four-year letter winner to have some crucial playing time for the Red and Blue.

Out of Wildwood, N.J. is 5-foot-10 guard Marianna Papazoglou. She spent four years as a captain at Wildwood Catholic Academy, where she is the all-time female leading scorer with 1,768 points.

Yet another backcourt addition is 5-foot11 guard Lizzy Groetsch from Sewickley, Pa. During her time at North Allegheny Senior High School, Groetsch spent two years as captain, and led her team to a 103-8 record. She totaled 1,504 points, 704 rebounds, and 371 assists.

She comes into Penn with various titles

Gus Larson, freshman forward/ center

6-foot-1 Iyanna Rogers from Richmond, Va. will be one of three new forwards on the court this season.

Rogers was a four-year starter and twoyear captain for Highland Springs High School where she earned two All-Region nods.

During her junior year, she earned a spot in ESPN’s top-60 female basketball

A four-year letter winner and former team captain, Larson helped his high school, Northfield Mount Hermon, win the 2019 New England Prep School Athletic Conference championship. Larson brings strong teamwork skills, so look out for this center that may help the Quakers come out strong this season.

Colin Chambers, sophomore guard Son of Paul Chambers — one of Penn’s best alltime point guards — the junior Chambers comes in with a skillset of his own. Chambers’ leadership skills and grit have served him well throughout his high school career, and helps him fit the culture of Penn men's basketball. Chambers will look to contribute his intangibles to the court as he plays his first season with the Quakers.

Nick Spinoso, freshman forward/ center A 6-foot-9 power forward/center, Spinoso averaged 22 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists per game during the 2019-20 season. This All-State and All-Long Island player is worth looking out for, as he impressively recorded more than 1,000 career points in high school.

She became the first basketball player in school history to score 1,000 points in a single season. Additionally, Papazoglou played three years of AAU basketball for the Philadelphia Belles EYBL.

Iyanna Rogers, freshman prospects list. Rogers averaged nearly 14 points per game that season and totaled 342 points, 196 rebounds, 89 blocks, 61 steals, and 12 assists.

Rogers comes from a family of former collegiate basketball players, including her cousin Chris McCullough, who played in the NBA for the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards.

Stina Almqvist, freshman From Kinna, Sweden, 6-foot guard Stina Almqvist will bring size, competitiveness, and versatility to the team. Prior to Penn, Almqvist played in the Swedish professional league, Svenska Basketligan Dam, for two seasons, and played with Marbo Basket for another 13 years.

She is a two-time winner of the Scania Cup, earning the scoring title, a selection to the All-Star team, and MVP of the final game in both years. Additionally, she is a two-time Swedish gold champion. She was awarded MVP and notched an AllStar team selection in both years.

Lexy Calhoun, freshman Another backcourt addition for the Quakers is 5-foot-8 guard Lexy Calhoun from Barrington, R.I. At Harriton High School, Calhoun was a four-year starter and senior captain for both the school’s women’s basketball and soccer teams. She was recognized as Harriton Female Athlete of the Year twice and led her school

to its first district finals game in 50 years.

Calhoun’s connection to Penn’s athletic program extends beyond basketball.

Her father, Jason Calhoun, is the current head coach of the men’s golf team and her mother, M. Grace Calhoun, was the former Director of Athletics and Recreation.

Jordan Obi, sophomore Despite being a sophomore, 6-foot-1 forward Jordan Obi from Cupertino, Calif. will play her first game as a Quaker this season. At Choate Rosemary Hall, Obi was a varsity letter winner all four years.

She held a key role in leading Choate to

the NEPSAC Class A final her sophomore year.

As senior captain, she averaged 19.5 points per game, 12.5 rebounds per game, and 4 assists per game. Obi has scored more than 1,000 points over her career.

to her name, including 2021 Pennsylvania Player of the Year Class 6A, 2021 Trib HSSN Girls Basketball Player of the Year, 2020 Pennsylvania Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year, two-time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Girls Basketball Player of the Year, and two-time Cover 3 Athletics Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Sima Visockaite, freshman Entering Penn with an abundance of international experience is 6-foot-2 forward Sima Visockaite from Kaunas, Lithuania. She has played for the Lithuanian national team since 2016 and was named best Under-18 Lithuania player in 2019.

Visockaite has competed in three FIBA European women’s championships and was honored with the Art Turner Memorial Player of the Year award in 2019. Her high level of play will be a great addition to the team.

Michaela Stanfield, sophomore Another newcomer for Penn women’s basketball is 6-foot guard Michaela Stanfield from Needham, Mass.

Like many of her teammates, Stanfield was a four-year starter in high school and spent two years as captain at the Winsor School. Stanfield graduated as the school’s

all-time leading scorer with over 1,500 points.

Some of her accolades include three-time NEPSAC All-Star, four-time Eastern Independent League All-Star, 2019-20 Winsor Bremer Athletic Prize recipient, and twotime winner of the Winsor Basketball Cup.

Sydnei Caldwell, junior transfer Sydnei Caldwell, a 5-foot-9 guard from Franklin Lakes, N.J., spent the first half of her collegiate career at Arizona State University.

In her first season as a Sun Devil, she played in 18 games and averaged 6.7 minutes per game. Caldwell racked

up six points in her debut game against Air Force. As a sophomore, she was one of just four players to compete in all 24 games of the 2020-21 season. Caldwell averaged 14.4 minutes per game and totaled 105 points, 51 rebounds, 24 steals, and 18 assists.

Nikola Kovacikova, senior transfer A native of Krskany, Slovakia, 5-foot-10 guard Nikola Kovacikova arrived at Penn as a transfer from Georgetown in 2020, but will play her first game as a Quaker this year.

Kovacikova averaged 7.9 points per game her sophomore season at

Georgetown, and was the Hoyas' third leading scorer that same year. Kovacikova is also a member of the Slovak women's national team and has represented her country at EuroBasket twice — in 2018 and in 2021.

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SAMANTHA TURNER The men's basketball team huddled up before the first scrimmage of the season against East Stroudsburg at the Palestra on Oct. 30.

Smith will add sharpshooting from behind the arc, as he hit more than 200 three-pointer during his high school career. Smith is a force on both on offense and defense, so expect gritty play on both sides of the court.

Due to the cancellation of Ivy League winter sports last year, there will be a total of 10 new faces on the court this season for Penn women’s basketball. Here’s a rundown of the team's newest members.

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Reese McMullen, freshman guard

Eddie “Ed” Holland III, freshman guard/forward

Ten players are making their debuts for Penn this season | ALEXIS GARCIA

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

PENN MEN'S BASKETBALL

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Penn women's basketball players huddled around the coach on one side of the court during the Red and Blue scrimmage on Nov. 6.

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MENDOZA AND FRANK | PRESEASON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IVY LEAGUE RANKINGS

EDWIN MEJIA

Princeton, Columbia, and Penn make up the top three spots | MATTHEW FRANK & ANDREA MENDOZA

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Princeton

Princeton is the obvious pick based on the team's performance during the 2019-20 season. The Tigers are coming off of a season in which they had a 26-1 overall record and a 14-0 Ivy League record. In addition to

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Columbia

Although they were ranked third in the Ivy Preseason Media Poll, Columbia moved up a spot in our rankings after Penn announced four-game suspensions for each of their junior and senior players. Regardless of the status of other Ancient Eight teams, Columbia is a

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squad to look out for this coming season. Despite the two-year gap in play, the Lions have retained a large amount of talent from their 2019-20 team, including over 80% of their scoring output and over 83% of their rebounding total.

Penn second-place finish in the conference. The year before, Penn finished with a 22-10 overall and 12-2 Ivy record to tie for first in the Ancient Eight. Additionally, despite the suspensions, the Quakers have some newcomers with potential that will have a chance to debut in the first four games of the season.

Harvard

Similar to Columbia, Harvard enters the 2020-21 season with the advantage of a solid returning crop of players. Of their top five leading scorers from the 2019-20 season, three are returning this go around. On top of their consistency on the court, Harvard is led

by Kathy Delaney-Smith, who’s entering her 40th season as the team’s head coach. That factor, along with the meaningful group of returning players bumps Harvard up from their fifth-place ranking in the official Ivy League preseason poll.

Yale

Yale is definitely in a different place than the top four teams on this list. The Bulldogs are coming into this season with only one of their starters from their 2019-20 core group returning this season, and six players coming off the bench. This puts them at a

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Cornell

Going into the upcoming season, the Big Red will need to significantly improve their game if they want to have any chance at an Ivy title. In the 2019-20 season, Cornell finished second-to-last in the conference with a measly 3-11 Ivy League record. Luckily, the team will have a decent amount of new

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blood coming onto the team, with eight players set to make their Big Red debuts. Of the six players returning to the team, only two averaged double-digit minutes during the 2019-20 season, so the influx of new players to the team may cause a lack of experience on the court.

Dartmouth

In the past couple of seasons, Dartmouth has not been doing too hot. In the 2019-20 season, Dartmouth’s record was 10-17, and 4-10 in the Ivy League. The Big Green now have a chance to rebuild their team this season. They recently hired a new coach, Adrienne Shibles,

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disadvantage from teams with more highscoring returning players. Still, they have reached 19 wins in two of their last three seasons, and it seems they might reach it again this year especially with eight new core players eager to do well.

who created a Division III powerhouse at Bowdoin College in Maine. She is starting fresh with all young players and two seniors who did not play last season due to the pandemic, so the potential to build a new culture and leadership is definitely there but it will take time.

Brown

At the bottom of the rankings is Brown, which sits in the last spot for good reason.

During the 2019-20 season, the Bears went 2-12 in Ivy League matchups and finished the season on a four-game losing streak. Fortunately for the team, few players from that iteration of the Bears are returning, with only one senior currently

on the roster. To fill that gap, 10 players will be making their collegiate debuts this season, four freshmen and six sophomores. Whether or not Brown succeeds will come down to how quickly these players can adapt to collegiate gameplay and whether or not they can match up with the other seven teams in the Ivy League.

BASKETBALL PREVIEW 1 1

Penn should be higher on this list, but due to the recent suspensions of their junior and senior players, the rhythm of the team might be thrown off balance going into Ivy League play. Still, entering the season, the Red and Blue are coming off a 20-7 overall and 10-4 Ivy record in the 2019-20 season, good enough for a

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their impressive record last season, they are riding a 22-game winning streak that they are hoping to extend even after a long hiatus.

Additionally, the Tigers were picked as the favorite in the recent Ivy Preseason Media Poll.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

After a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ivy League basketball is back this fall. Here’s how the Ancient Eight teams stack up heading into the 2021-22 season.

THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN | THEDP.COM

JOFFE | PRESEASON MEN'S BASKETBALL IVY LEAGUE RANKINGS De facto 2020 Ivy League Champion Yale tops the list | JACKSON JOFFE After a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ivy League basketball is back this fall, and the Quakers look to make their first trip to March Madness since 2018. Here’s how the Ancient Eight teams stack up heading into the 2021-22 season.

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Yale

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

The preseason favorites and 2020 de facto Ivy League Champion Bulldogs head into 2021 with one of the most star-studded lineups in the Ancient Eight.

Though former forward Paul Atkinson transferred to Notre Dame for his final year of eligibility, senior guard Azar Swain is returning, having set a single-season program record in 2019-20 with 93 three-pointers made on his way to earning first team

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Williams, Michael Wang, Jonah Charles, and Bryce Washington, who have all missed significant time during their collegiate careers.

Ivy League Rookie of the Year Jordan Dingle returns at point guard, but the biggest question for the Quakers will be in the post, where Max Lorca-Lloyd figures to slot in.

Still, with a bevy of weapons and a seasoned head coach, the Quakers will be a tough match for their opponents.

Princeton

The Tigers, who lost their first five games of 2019 before starting 4-0 in conference play, figure to compete for a March Madness bid with a large cohort of returning upperclassmen.

Heading the pack is senior guard Jaelin Llewellyn — a second team All-Ivy performer in 2019-20 and the Black and Orange’s points leader the last time Ivy League

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All-Ivy recognition.

Coach James Jones was also able to retain senior guard Jalen Gabbidon. The Harrisburg, Pa. native tied for fourth in the Ivy League with 40 steals and was one of only two Bulldogs to start all 30 games last season. It’s safe to say that the Elis have a target on their back this season, as other teams will be eager to knock them off the podium.

Penn

Entering his sixth season as the head coach for the Red and Blue, coach Steve Donahue is faced with the daunting task of replacing the program’s all-time leading scorer in AJ Brodeur. However, the extended time off may have been a blessing in disguise for the Quakers.

Penn returns five seniors and four juniors, including one transfer, and the Red and Blue will also hope to see big minutes from Jelani

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basketball was in action. Llewellyn struggled in his efficiency last season, but still found ways to create his own shot, and he regularly presents a matchup problem for opponents.

The Tigers return five of 10 players who averaged more than 10 minutes per game in 2019-20, and with a weak non-conference schedule to start the year, the Tigers figure to come into conference play rolling.

Harvard

Perennial contenders in the modern era, the Crimson will sport new faces this season; the only holdover from 2019-20 is senior guard Noah Kirkwood, who was a first team All-Ivy selection that season. Still, Harvard has played well with new faces before, most notably in 2019-20, when star senior guard Bryce Aiken played just seven games.

Coach Tommy Amaker will hope to get junior forward Chris Ledlum and senior forward Mason Forbes involved early and often

with an underclassmen-heavy roster. Both Ledlum and Forbes, along with Kirkwood, were the only current Harvard players to see action in 2019-20. Senior guard Spencer Freedman could be another name to watch.

The Crimson are a bit lower on this list given their lack of experienced talent, but with Amaker at the helm, it’s tough to discount Harvard, who have won the Ivy League seven of the last 10 seasons.

Brown

A school with a lack of success on the basketball court, Brown posted its first winning record in conference play since 2007-08 the last time Ivy League basketball was on display. The Bears leading offensive scorer and second-highest Ivy League scorer in 2019-20 Brandon Anderson graduated, but Brown returns graduate student forward Tamenang Choh, who nearly averaged a double-double in 201920.

The highest-impact player for the Bears is senior forward Jaylan Gainey, who was

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Dartmouth

After a horrendous 0-6 start to Ivy League play in 2019-20, the Big Green quietly notched a 5-4 record the rest of the way thanks in large part to the dominant play of big man Chris Knight. With Knight now playing as a graduate student at Loyola Chicago, coach David McLaughlin will need to find a game-changing player if the Big Green want to improve on their previous season’s

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success.

Among players to watch for Dartmouth include senior guard Taurus Samuels, who was second in minutes played in 2019-20, and graduate student Aaryn Rai, who received the team’s most improved player award in 2020 after starting all 29 contests and leading the team in rebounding with 6.4 boards per game.

Cornell

The Big Red still just can’t seem to find solid footing after the departure of coach Steve Donahue at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season. The team has failed to post a winning record since its Cinderella Sweet 16 appearance that year.

This season looks to be much of the

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the 2020 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year and led the Ancient Eight in blocks per game. Gainey will be the focal point of the Bears' defense — an eraser at the rim thanks to his 6-foot-9 frame and leaping ability — but the Greensboro, N.C. native has been battling a hamstring injury throughout the preseason.

Paxson Wojcik, a junior guard transfer from Loyola Chicago, figures to factor in as well. The Charleston, S.C. native led all scorers in Brown’s preseason scrimmage this past weekend.

same for Cornell, as the team returns just four players who have collegiate playing experience. Coach Brian Earl will be tough pressed to find success for Cornell this season, which includes some tough non-conference matchups at Virginia Tech and at Syracuse.

Columbia

The 2019-20 season proved to be the worst campaign of coach Jim Engles’s career.

After thrashing Cornell in its season opener, Columbia proceeded to drop 13 straight conference matchups, including a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Harvard.

With a number of close losses the last time out, some might say Columbia is due for a rebound, but the Lions will be hard pressed to replicate the scoring of guard Mike Smith,

the League’s points leader in 2019-20.

The only starter returning is senior forward Ike Nweke, who was second in the conference in offensive rebounds per game the last time the Ivy League played.

On the bright side, Columbia welcomes the return of senior guard Maka Ellis, who missed most of 2019-20 with injury but played over 20 minutes per game when healthy.

Senior Kennedy Suttle led all women in scoring with 16 points, while Jordan Dingle scored 25 for the men | JOEY PIATT

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making hustle plays on the defensive end. But, as McLaughlin mentioned before the season, Suttle will also be looked on to make an impact on the offensive end. On Saturday, she showed flashes, going 2-of-5 from three.

Following the women’s scrimmage, the men took the court.

Familiar faces stole the show for the Quakers, with Max LorcaLloyd and Jordan Dingle playing well for the White team. Dingle led all players in scoring with 25 points on the back of 7-for-7 free throw shooting. Lorca-Lloyd, SAMANTHA TURNER along with fellow frontcourt Senior forward Michael Wang dribbles the ball down the court during the scrimmage against big man Michael Wang, was a East Stroudsburg on Oct. 30. strong offensive presence in the paint, with both players scoring in double digits. Lorca-Lloyd also had multiple blocks on the defensive end, including one on guard Jonah Charles that drew a noticeable crowd reaction. He also had a poster-worthy dunk early in the game.

The scrimmage also offered a glimpse at some of Penn’s younger players, who may not see as much action come regular season. Freshmen Nick Spinoso, Eddie Holland III, Gus Larson and George Smith all received significant minutes, as did sophomores Andrew Laczkowski, Clark Slajcher t, and Colin Chambers. In previous interviews, coach Steve Donahue has signaled that Slajchert will be a part of Penn’s main rotation, and that he may employ a deeper rotation than usual, perhaps giving some other underclassmen a chance to contribute.

Season storylines and key performers will become clearer when both teams make their season debuts over the course of the next week. The men’s team (215) 546-7301 traveled to Tallahassee, Fla., on b e d Wednesday to take on Florida e l r e 22nd & Washington ave springfi State and the women are gearing up for a road trip to Hartford distributor next Sunday.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

ast Saturday, both Penn men and women’s basketball took the court at the Palestra for the annual Red and Blue scrimmages. The intrasquad matchups were the last scrimmage action prior to both teams’ season-openers.

As with all scrimmages, particularly intrasquad ones, it can be difficult to glean significant takeaways from the action. But with both teams’ seasons just around the corner, here are some notes from Saturday’s back-toback contests.

The first of the two contests pitted the Blue and White teams of Penn women’s basketball against each other. The White team's starting lineup could be the same starting lineup that takes the court on Nov. 14 when the team opens its season against Hartford. The lineup featured returning starters Kayla Padilla and Kennedy Suttle, veteran Mia Lakstigala, transfer Nikola “Niki” Kovacikova, and sophomore forward Jordan Obi. One standout performer from the first scrimmage was Obi, who coach Mike McLaughlin said is poised to make an impact in her first full season with the team. The sophomore scored 14 and showed off a smooth shooting stroke.

Obi wasn’t the only newcomer to show slashes in the contest, with Kovacikova making her debut as the Quakers’ primary ballhandler. Freshman guard Lizzy Groetsch also showed off an aggressive defensive style that could earn her minutes in a deep Penn backcourt.

Perhaps the biggest storyline from the women’s contest was the offensive performance of senior Kennedy Suttle, who led the White team in scoring with 16 points. Suttle showcased her classic gritty playing style, tracking down rebounds and

THEDP.COM | THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN

Men and women's basketball scrimmages offer last look before season starts

THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN | THEDP.COM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

Q & A WITH PENN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH

Mike McLaughlin

SON NGUYEN Women's basketball coach Mike McLaughlin prepares on the sideline, while the team practices before the game against Stetson on Dec. 8, 2019.

Penn’s season opener at Hartford is on Nov. 14 | JOEY PIATT he Penn women’s basketball season is right around the corner, and nobody is quite sure what to expect.

The Quakers, along with the rest of the Ivy League, did not compete during the 2020-2021 season. As a result, it has been difficult to forecast exactly how the Ancient Eight will shape up in the 2021-22 season.

With Penn’s season opener at Hartford only weeks away, The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with coach Mike McLaughlin to see what can be expected from the team this year.

The questions and answers below have been edited for clarity.

1 4 BASKETBALL PREVIEW

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Having missed an entire season due to the pandemic, what has your focus been during this preseason as you prepare for the return to competition?

It’s been great; I think we’re back in a normal mode. What we’ve been concentrating on a lot in the beginning, especially the first three weeks of practice, are just fundamentals. We skipped some steps along the way, not being able to have these kids here a lot last year, so we just wanted to make sure that we worked fundamentally on all their games.

The last couple weeks, as we start to get closer, we’re focusing more on our style of

play, how we’re going to run offense and how we’re going to execute on the defensive side. We’ve been doing a little bit of everything all along.

But really, the focus the past couple of weeks has been more on the back end; getting this team as confident and prepared to play games coming up here. [We’re] trying to have them see as many plays [while] playing with each other, and [that] has really been the focus. It’s been going well; I’m really happy with our progress.

On-court, veteran leaders like Kendall Grasela and Eleah Parker are no longer in the program, and there are a lot of younger players in their place. What are some of the things about this year’s team that might differ from the teams led by those players?

I think you touched on both of them that are really important. Your front-end of your defense and your front-end of your offense, and your back-end of your defense and your back-end of your offense, are two different people. So that’s been a little bit of the learning curve, I think, trying to play a style without a back-end stopper like Eleah was for three, four years here.

And for Kendall, [we’re replacing] a four-year player and two-year starter [who] played a ton of basketball here [and] who

was an elite level defender and a true point guard that can handle the team. So, two really critical spots, [and] your front-end of both of them is going to be different.

The style of play may be different…we’ve played a style that has been successful and that has won, so we’re trying to look at this group and what they can do, but also not run away from a style that’s been successful.

Kayla Padilla had a big role on the team as a freshman two years ago, eventually doing enough to win 2020 Ivy League Rookie of the Year. She’s back and figures to be a leader on the team; how do you see her taking steps forward this year?

I think she did it herself. She’s a better player in terms of where she was freshman year. She’s a stronger player. She’s physically stronger, her first step is very explosive, she can score multiple ways, [and] she has game experience. You can see it; you can sense the jump in maturity as a basketball player and the confidence.

And her role’s changing. We do need her to lead this group. Last time she played, she had Kendall Grasela, Phoebe Sterba, Eleah [Parker], Tori Crawford … she had older kids that she could just be her. Now we’re asking her to be her as she helps younger kids grow. It’s a great process, it’s a great step, and it’s natural.

She’s gifted in a lot of ways: she’s a quiet leader, she leads by example, [and] she’s very poignant in her leadership skills and very direct. So, I think you’ll see a lot of through Kayla, around Kayla, and with Kayla. I think it’s a good starting point for this group as we continue to grow out as a unit.

One of the younger players that Padilla has worked with is freshman guard Lizzy Groetsch. What has that relationship looked like this preseason?

You definitely hit that, because we put the kids with mentors throughout the last year when we didn’t have a whole lot of ability to play. Lizzy coming in as a freshman, we always put them with someone else that can help them navigate Penn and navigate the program [and] what the expectations are. Kayla happened to be someone that was assigned to Lizzy.

They’ve done really well. Lizzy is – I don’t know how much you recall [former Penn guard] Ashley Russell – just a physically tough kid. You’re going to get the ultimate effort every time she steps on the floor, and I think that’s an unbelievable starting point for any kid. She has very good talent, she’s playing the point guard position, which is a position where you need someone that’s really going to grind it out and play and be consistent on the effort every day, and she certainly has that.

Kayla’s helped her through that. I think Lizzy is a good fit for us. She’ll play this year, she’ll impact us in quite a few ways, and I think the future is very bright for her.

Another returning starter who will be a leader for this team is senior Kennedy Suttle. How has her game changed and evolved over the offseason as she prepares to take on a bigger role?

Kennedy’s someone that just dictates the effort. She’s another one like Lizzy, where you always know what you’re getting every day. She is one of the better offensive

rebounders that have been here for years— Kennedy's not one that’s going to offensive rebound by pure size and length, [but] she has a nose for the ball, and that’s a pretty unbelievable trait.

Sometimes it’s an uncoachable trait, and she just attracts the ball. Our last two scrimmages, she probably had 12+ offensive rebounds. Kennedy is someone that’s been pretty good in that area her whole career.

What I’ve seen and what I really like with her now in her new role is that we need her to put the ball in the basket a little bit more.

Last time we played, she was playing alongside Eleah, alongside Tori Crawford, and we needed her to track down balls. Now we need her to add to her offensive repertoire. She’s shooting the ball better from the perimeter, she’s more efficient in all her offensive moves, [and] she’s done great. Her leadership on the floor [and] her effort is contagious. She’s off to a phenomenal start.

I expect really big things out of her for sure.

There are two classes of players who have not yet played college basketball. In the past, there have been players like Padilla who have been ahead of the curve and able to contribute immediately.

What players have a chance to do that this year?

Jordan Obi is going to be a very good player. She’s a sophomore; she was here for the second half of last year. She hasn’t played a college game yet, but this kid is going to be pretty good. She can score it multiple ways — she’s physically gifted.

You’re going to see her right out there with her name called. She’s going to be right in that starting group, and I think she’s going to be someone we’re going to be talking a lot about. That’s how confident I am that she's going to impact us greatly.

Giving credit to the culture you’ve built in the program, historically, your teams have been very cohesive and have bonded well on and off the court. What has it been like to see this team start to bond now that you’re back together?

I appreciate you saying and asking that because it’s so important. You’re in class every day, and you see these kids that are athletes, and it’s challenging on them.

They’re competing at the highest level and they’re also going to one of the best academic schools, so I do appreciate this.

We’ve done a lot of the same, but we’ve had to do it differently in some regards.

We had more Zoom meetings and virtual team bonding. We had a few players that were freshmen that didn’t even come to Penn because they couldn’t visit during the pandemic. Their first day of Penn in orientation was their first day at Penn, so we had that dynamic … [We’re] trying to intermingle all these new players with a veteran group that understands the power of a culture and connectivity.

We have been consistent with how we’ve done it, but prior to actually seeing everyone in August, we had to do it a little differently, and I think we’re off to a good start … I think the culture is vital for success when you hit that adversity wall, that you have someone to lean on and talk to and go through it, and we’re still growing and I think growing a group together just never ends. I love the group that we have.

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Q & A WITH PENN MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH

Steve Donahue

BASKETBALL PREVIEW 1 5

SAMANTHA TURNER Men's basketball coach Steve Donahue communicates with a player during the scrimmage versus East Stroudsburg on Oct. 30.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

The Quakers' season opener was on Nov. 10 at Florida State | JOEY PIATT

What has it been like going through the team’s first full preseason since 2019?

I keep using this word because I think it fits. It feels normal … having trained in the spring, and [having] been here and then coming back in the fall, I think we’re ready.

It feels really normal getting ready for a season. The excitement is probably higher than it’s ever been, but it feels like every year.

Injuries have kept Jelani Williams off the court for his entire Penn career. Now that he’s coming into the season healthy, what are your expectations for the fifthyear senior?

After you’ve waited five years, there’s no easing it in. He’s played a lot of basketball. [Although] he hasn’t been on the court in front of people, this comes second nature to him. For us he’s like a coach on the court, someone we feel strongly understands what we’re trying to do on offense and defense. I can feel it already that we’re going to need him out there in particular at critical times. He’s going to hit the ground running, and [I] feel strongly that he’s ready for it.

Lucas Monroe has taken a veteran position on the team and is someone that has been in the program for a while now.

How do you see him impacting the team this season?

I think that’s a good way of putting it, he’s been here a while. [He was] voted as a unanimous team captain as a junior. I think the strength of Lucas is that he does a little bit of everything in every aspect of the game. I think he can score it, he defends at a high level, he’s a good playmaker, he guards one through four, [and] he’s a terrific rebounder. So, he’s going to have a big role for us.

Two seasons ago, Max Martz and Jordan Dingle both had an instant impact as freshmen. With them having taken a year off in 2020-2021 to preserve a year of eligibility, how do you expect the two to do now that they’re back as sophomores?

I think people recognize that both of them are so much better than they were as freshmen. I thought they were good as freshmen, but they were freshmen, and they had their rollercoaster. Both of those two, I expect to be at a high level from the start. Both have improved and both can

really score. Obviously, Max from three, but both are really good three-point shooters [and] mid-range shooters, and they can finish, so I think you’ll see just a better version of both of them.

This team has a lot of depth and a lot of young players. Who are some younger players that could compete for minutes this season?

We have Michael Moshkovitz, who’s a junior college transfer [and] who’s with the older guys, and Clark Slajchert, who’s a sophomore. Those guys are in the top nine for sure. Our freshmen have been terrific.

Reese McMullen has been hurt, but Gus Larson, George Smith, Nick Spinoso, and Eddie Holland III, to me, having been in this league for a long time, are kids that are going to be very good players in this league. I don’t know when the opportunity to really shine comes because we have such depth, but a month from now, it may feel different because they keep getting better and because that’s what I see every day in practice.

Is this a team that you see operating under a set rotation, or a team utilizes their depth and changes things up based on the situation?

I think we’re going to play a lot more guys than I’ve ever played consistently. My years at Cornell toward the end, we played 10, 11 guys. I think we play 10, 11 guys here pretty consistently in the first half of games. We’re playing much faster on both sides of the ball, so it’s imperative that we are fresh and have the energy. So, sometimes that means shorter stints out on the court for guys.

You’ve talked this offseason about retooling some approaches and strategies for this year. What are some things that might look different this season?

I think the biggest difference you’ll see is the pace of the game is going to be faster.

We’re pushing teams to speed them up.

Picking them up full court [and] mixing up defenses are different things we’re doing to speed them up. We’re going to transition more than we ever have. I think we have depth on our team that allows us to do that and kids that are really willing to do more when they’re out on the court. I think the result will be that the pace of the game is a lot faster.

This has been a team that’s historically shot a lot from beyond the arc. Do you see the team continuing to match those high three-point attempt totals in 2021-2022?

I definitely think we’re going to shoot the ball from three. Unfortunately, I think we haven’t shot it as well as we’d hoped over the past couple of years, for a lot of reasons.

Some of it’s some key guys who were threepoint shooters getting hurt. But I think you’ll see we have different offensive players that score in so many different ways.

Unlike the last couple of years where you had AJ [Brodeur] and three-point shooting, I think you’ll see a lot more variety of that.

In transition, if you can get an open three, you certainly will take it.

THEDP.COM | THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN

he Penn men’s basketball season is right around the corner, and nobody is quite sure about what to expect.

The Quakers, along with the rest of the Ivy League, did not compete during the 20202021 season. As a result, it has been hard to forecast exactly how the Ancient Eight will shape up in 2021-2022.

Just before Penn’s season opener at Florida State, The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with coach Steve Donahue to see what can be expected from the team this year.

The questions and answers below have been lightly edited for clarity.

1 6 BASKETBALL PREVIEW THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021 THE DAILY PENNSYLVANIAN | THEDP.COM

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