Penn Men’s Basketball Faces Daunting Test at George Mason
Preview: Quakers Aim for Upset against Hostile Patriots
The University of Pennsylvania men’s basketball team embarks on their final non-conference road trip of the season, traveling to Fairfax, Virginia to face the surging George Mason Patriots on Sunday. This promises to be a daunting challenge for the Quakers, who will need to bring their A-game to snap a five-game skid in the series.
“It’s a tough environment to play in, and they’re very good. We’ll have to be at our best to compete.” – Penn head coach Steve Donahue
Scouting the Patriots
- Record: 11-1
- Home Record: 7-0
- against the Quakers: 5-1, winning five straight since Penn’s 72-71 nail-biter in 2018
Penn’s Injury Report
Juniors TJ Power and Lucas Lueth are expected to return after missing the last game against Rutgers. Senior captain Ethan Roberts, however, remains day-to-day with an ankle injury.
Storylines to Watch
1. Can the Quakers Snap George Mason’s Perfect Home Streak?
The Patriots have yet to lose at home this season, and Penn will need to buckle down defensively and minimize turnovers to snap their five-game losing streak in Fairfax.
2. Rebounding Battle
George Mason is one of the nation’s best rebounding teams, fetching 41.2% of its misses. Penn, led by Power and Augie Gerhart, will need to hold their own on the glass to limit the Patriots’ second-chance opportunities.
The Series
The Quakers and the Patriots have met six times in men’s basketball, and George Mason holds a commanding 5-1 lead, including an 85-53 rout last season. Penn’s only victory came in 2018, a 72-71 thriller courtesy of a late 3-pointer from Zack-screen-name-Zanoni.
**Game Details**
- Tip-off: Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 | 5 p.m.
- Venue: EagleBank Arena, Fairfax, Va.
- Watch:** ESPN+ ($) | Listen on QAN | Live Stats
Did you know?
The University of Pennsylvania men’s basketball team has played 12 New Year’s Eve games since 1904, with a 5-7 record in those contests.
Pro Tip
Ethan Roberts‘ 18.0 points per game lead the Quakers and rank third in the Ivy League. Keep an eye on his status as he battles through an ankle injury.
Getter’s Gameday Checklist
- Read up on the latest Penn men’s basketball news at 247Sports.
- Tune in to the game on ESPN+ or the Quaker Audio Network.
- Follow along with live stats on George Mason’s Sidearm Sports.
#FightOnPenn | #QuakerHoops