The Palestra

Penn and Princeton are the two most successful basketball programs in the Ivy League and as a result, have developed a fierce rivalry over the years. The rivalry is particularly intense since the Ivy League typically only receives one NCAA Tournament bid each year giving each and every matchup extra importance. There is always a lot at stake when the Quakers and Tigers square-off, so make sure to be in attendance when Princeton comes to the Palestra.

Philadelphia’s Big 5 consists of the Villanova, Temple, St. Joseph’s, Penn, and La Salle and is one of the best multi-team rivalries in college sports. The Big 5 dates back to 1955 and originally was created to showcase Philadelphia’s basketball talent and raise money for the Palestra. The proximity of the schools means there is a lot of bragging rights on the line whenever these teams meet, so don’t miss the matchups between these schools.

The Battle of 33rd Street between Penn and Drexel is the closest geographical rivalry in college sports. Not only are the team’s arena only a couple of blocks away, but the university’s campuses actually border each other. The two teams have met every year since the 1996-97 season, and each matchup is a must-see for Penn basketball fans.