Penn Takes It One Game at a Time as It Climbs Ivy Standings

Fran McCaffery's Quakers swept last weekend and are now in third place

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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After a thrilling come-from-behind win over Columbia and an 82-76 victory over Cornell, Penn is now in third place in the Ivy League standings with a 97.6% chance to finish in the top four and compete in Ivy Madness next month. Head coach Fran McCaffery is focused on taking things one game at a time, with the next challenge being a matchup against first-place Yale on Saturday.

Why it matters

Penn's weekend sweep was the culmination of defensive improvements, contributions from bench players, and the overall maturity of the team as the season enters its most pivotal part. The Quakers are on the cusp of ending a two-year drought of not participating in the Ivy League's postseason.

The details

Penn sophomore AJ Levine was a game-changer, tallying 11 steals in the two wins. The Quakers also got productive performances from transfer Lucas Lueth and freshman Jay Jones, who gave the team a lift off the bench. McCaffery praised the character and commitment of his entire roster, noting that even players not seeing extended minutes have remained engaged and supportive of their teammates.

  • On January 5, Ivy League play tipped off for Penn.
  • Three weeks ago, Penn was 2-4 in conference play and on a three-game losing skid.
  • Last Friday, Penn beat Columbia 76-67 in a come-from-behind victory.
  • Last Saturday, Penn defeated Cornell 82-76 to complete a season sweep of the Big Red.
  • This Saturday, Penn will face first-place Yale in New Haven.

The players

Fran McCaffery

The head coach of the Penn Quakers, who is in his first year leading his alma mater.

AJ Levine

A sophomore point guard for Penn who is the head of the snake for the Quakers' defense, tallying 11 steals in the two wins last weekend.

Lucas Lueth

A transfer forward from Kirkwood Community College who gave Penn productive minutes off the bench in the two wins last weekend.

Jay Jones

A freshman guard for Penn who scored a season-high 17 points in the win over Cornell and can seamlessly play alongside Levine on the defensive end.

Ethan Roberts

A senior guard for Penn who praised Levine's impact as the team's point guard.

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What they’re saying

“He's a game changer and an elite competitor. Having that as your point guard is amazing. You definitely don't want to go up against him.”

— Ethan Roberts, senior guard

“We talk about playing a full 40 minutes every single game. We know that every Ivy League game down the stretch is going to be a war. As long as we're fighting at the end of the game as the intensity is rising, I think we always have a chance to win the game. That's exactly what we did at the end there, we picked up our intensity defensively.”

— AJ Levine, sophomore point guard

“He's an emotional guy and you never want to take that away from him. That's what makes him great. In the second half, I took him out because he was sideways… he was getting frustrated. I took him out, let him calm down. Then he came back and impacted the game. He and [Roberts] won the game for us.”

— Fran McCaffery, head coach

“The coaching staff has done a great job of giving me a bunch of confidence. I got a lot of trust in them. They've been great for me.”

— Jay Jones, freshman guard

“Those two guys are an epitome of what character is. In the locker room, in the weight room, at home, and on the road, and in crunch time… They're really smart and prioritize winning. There was a time where neither of them were playing very much. We all know at that point, some guys pack it in, some point fingers, they figure out where they're going to transfer. These guys kept working. If you look at our bench, the guys that aren't playing are into the game and cheering on their teammates.”

— Fran McCaffery, head coach

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.