Men's basketball takes on Florida International in home opener Saturday

After splitting two games last weekend at the Sooner Invitational in Oklahoma, the men's basketball team returns to Jadwin Gymnasium this weekend for its home opener against Florida International.

In their season kickoff, the Tigers used a strong second half to down Western Michigan 62-59 and advance to the finals against the seventh-ranked Sooners. In the finals, Oklahoma used superior speed and athleticism in defeating Princeton 82-63 to win the tourney. Despite staying close in the beginning of the game, the Tigers were never able to get within 14 points in the second half.

Princeton got strong performances from several players last weekend, which should bode well for this Saturday's game and games to come.

Junior forward Spencer Gloger, playing in his first regular season game in two years, led the team in scoring with 18 points against Western Michigan.

Sophomore center Judson Wallace, making his first career start, pumped in nine points, snared 14 boards and dished out six assists in playing a complete and well-rounded game. His stats conjure up memories of fellow center Nate Walton '01, who led the team in points, rebounds and assists his senior year.

In the second game, junior forward Andre Logan dumped in a team-high 16 points and five rebounds, appearing to have fully recovered from last year's surgery that repaired his torn ACL.

Senior Ray Robins chipped in with 15 points on the weekend as well, while sophomore guard Wil Venable netted 11 in the second game.

Senior guard Kyle Wente was kept off the scoreboard for the most part, knocking down just one basket over the two games. In the second game, however, the team captain dished out four goodies to his teammates.

Princeton will need those players to step up again when it takes on FIU Saturday night. Last season — the first time the teams met in basketball — the Golden Panthers beat the Tigers in Miami, 49-44.

This year, the Sun Belt Conference member brings in a 2-0 record, though both its games were played out of conference and against marginal competition.

In its first game of the season, FIU downed Morris Brown 60-52, and then beat local team Iona in its second contest 65-55. The Tigers, with their superior depth, should be able to give the Golden Panthers stiffer competition than in their first two games.

In fact, one of Princeton's main problems seems to be how to utilize its talent. In the backcourt alone, the team has to juggle Venable, Wente, junior Ed Persia and freshman Scott Greenman.

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The frontcourt is just as competitive, with Logan, Gloger, Robins, Wallace, junior Konrad Wysocki and sophomore Mike Stephens all vying for increased playing time.

Florida International will try to counter with a superstar of its own in six-foot, seven-inch junior forward Eulis Baez, who scored 13 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had a pair of assists in the Golden Panthers' first game.

Starting with Saturday's game, the Tigers will stay local for a few weeks, as they travel only to play Monmouth, Lafayette and Rider. The team will also host Rutgers in the ever-emotional "Battle of New Jersey."

Following that stretch, Princeton will play its second national powerhouse of the year in Texas.

The team's non-conference schedule and results will be important in helping the Tigers secure a postseason berth, especially if — like last year — the team does not win the Ivy League title outright.