With the men's basketball team tipping off its season tomorrow night in Syracuse in the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic, the 'Prince' takes a quick look the Tigers' non-conference schedule and breaks down their Ivy League foes.
Season Prediction: 23-5 overall, 13-1 Ivy League (first place)
Non-Conference
New head coach Joe Scott '87 inherited an exceedingly difficult non-conference schedule — 10 of Princeton's 14 games are on the road, including the first five — but he's not complaining.
Scott says he's looking forward to testing his team early on, knowing it'll pay off later on. But then again, he's not just looking for so-called moral victories.
"If these guys are going to get better, if the program is going to take a bump up, we have to go on the road, into those tough environments, and win," he said. "Not lose by 2, not give a good accounting of ourselves, or any of those other b.s. phrases."
Last year, the Tigers were forced to utter such clichés far too often. They went just 7-6 against non-Ivy foes, with five of those losses coming by a total of 14 points, as tight games against the likes of Oklahoma and Minnesota slipped away.
Assuming the Tigers beat Bucknell — the preseason favorite in the Patriot League — in their season opener, they will face Syracuse Friday night. The Orangemen, featuring athletic forward Hakim Warrick and high scoring guard Gerry McNamara, are ranked No. 6 nationally in preseason polls. With an upset, Princeton would advance to the following weekend's final four at Madison Square Garden.
The Tigers then play three tough but winnable road games — at Wyoming, Lafayette and Holy Cross — before returning to Jadwin Gym on Dec. 8 for the home opener against Rutgers. Other December highlights include a road game against John Cheney's always pugnacious Temple team and a possible match-up versus UTEP, an NCAA tournament team last year.
Princeton wraps its "preseason" up in a nationally televised contest at No. 12 Duke on Jan. 5. Last year, the Tigers stayed with the Blue Devils for a half before Luol Deng took over down the stretch.
Ivy League
Brown Bears
After finishing second in the Ivy League for two straight years, Brown should take a step back after graduating three starters, including high-scoring guards Patrick Powers and Mike Martin. But point guard Jason Forte, the reigning Ivy Player of the Year, returns for his senior season, ensuring the Bears won't fall too far.
The biggest question is who besides the speedy Forte will score points. Junior forward Luke Ruscoe, the other returning starter, will be counted on to chip in double figures; every other player on the roster is either a sophomore or freshman.
Prediction: 6-8 (tie fifth)
Columbia Lions
Last season, under first year head coach Joe Jones, Columbia made the biggest leap of any Ivy team, improving from 0-14 to 6-8 in the league. Their ascent will likely slow this year, however, unless they can develop a consistent third option.
The Lions' two primary scorers — senior forward Matt Preston and junior forward Dragutin Kravic — are among the best in the league. Kravic, however, may not be fully healthy. According to the Columbia Spectator, a stress fracture he suffered at the end of last season has yet to fully heal.
Prediction: 6-8 (tie fifth)
Cornell Big Red
Cornell started 5-1 in the league last year before an overtime loss to Princeton sent them reeling — they finished 6-8. Still, the year was a resurgent one for the Big Red, the last team other than Princeton or Penn to win the league (1988). Unfortunately for Cornell, the man who led the way last year — point guard Ka'Ron Barnes — graduated.
On the plus side, nearly everyone else is back. Shooting guard Cody Toppert is a deadly outside threat. With the trio of Eric Taylor, Chris Vandenberg and transfer Ryan Rourke, the Big Red are solid inside. The X-factor is junior swingman Lenny Collins, the only player on the team who can create his own shot.
Prediction: 7-7 (fourth)
Dartmouth Big Green
Another poor season (3-25, 1-13) cost longtime coach Dave Faucher his job; new coach Terry Dunn doesn't inherit much to work with.
Making matters worse, the Big Green's one bright spot last year — sophomore guard Leon Pattman — may be forced to sit the year out. According to the Columbia Spectator, a nagging groin injury first sustained last season continues to bother him.
Even if Pattman does play, Dartmouth will struggle to score points.
Prediction: 1-13 (eighth)
Harvard Crimson
Beyond their near upset of Princeton at Jadwin Gym in Februrary — the Tigers ultimately prevailed in double overtime — not much went right for the Crimson during a long 4-23 (3-11) season.
This year should be better, with two leading scorers, guard Kevin Rogus and power forward Matt Stehle, returning. They will have more help, thanks to the return of seven-foot center Brian Cusworth, who missed last season with an injury. Still, Harvard will be hard-pressed to finish in the top half of the league.
Prediction: 4-10 (seventh)
Penn Quakers
As always, Penn will stand alongside Princeton as one of the league's heavyweights. But, on paper, the Quakers are the weakest they've been in half a decade.
Three key starters graduated: swingman Jeff Schiffner (the team's leading scorer), center Adam Chubb and point guard Charlie Copp. Senior guard Tim Begley — a deadly outside shooter — remains, but the departure of Schiffner means he'll be every defense's focal point.
Ultimately, Penn's season will hinge on how well two sophomores can take over leadership roles. Speedy sophomore Ibby Jabbar, who takes over the reigns at the point, showed flashes of brilliance but often looked lost. Down low, Mark Zoller must become a more consistent goto scorer. He torched the Tigers in the teams' first game last season.
Prediction: 9-5 (third)
Yale Bulldogs
After capturing a share of the league title in 2001-2002, Yale has sputtered through two disappointing seasons. This year is the last chance for senior guards Alex Gamboa and Edward Draughn to recapture the glory of their freshman year.
If it weren't for Princeton, they very might well be able to do it. The Bulldogs' starting five is as good as any team in the league, but their lack of depth — they'll rely heavily on freshmen off the bench — will likely leave them looking up at the Tigers in the standings once again.
Besides the selfless Gamboa and the high-scoring Draughn, athletic sophomore Casey Hughes rounds out Yale's backcourt. Up front, former Tiger Dominick Martin and Sam Kaplan provide plenty of bulk.
Prediction: 10-4 (second)
Read More
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.