Men's Basketball: The Jungle is where the wild things are

Princeton basketball is all about tradition. After winning more than 20 Ivy League titles and upsetting a slew of NCAA powerhouses like UCLA, the Tigers are no strangers to greatness. With 40 minutes on the clock, anything is possible for Princeton basketball. And behind this proud tradition are the loyal student fans, now represented by the Jadwin Jungle.

The Jungle was founded in 2003 by a group of students wishing to rally together as Princeton basketball fans. As the members of the student section, we make it out to every home game to support our team. With free food for all members before each game, halftime contests, prizes throughout the season and good old heckling at every opportunity, the Jungle does all it can to support the team and make sure its members have a good time. Joining the Jungle and coming out to the games is a great way to bond with an energetic group of people from every part of campus. Nothing can top coming out to a game if you are looking for some entertainment or just a way to avoid that last problem set. New initiatives for this season’s Jungle include shuttles from Dillon for big games, arcade games for pre-tip off entertainment, and more halftime contests.

This year’s team is preparing for an exciting season. Last season saw 17 games decided by less than 10 points; The Jungle makes the difference in these close games. With preseason games against teams like South Carolina and Rutgers and a tough Ivy League schedule, the team is looking to flourish in its second year under head coach Sydney Johnson ’97. With a talented crop of new recruits and returning veterans, the team is looking to make it back to the NCAA Tournament and re-establish Princeton as the team to beat in the Ancient Eight.

Knowing you were there for your team and its players is something you will never forget. Any one of those students that takes the floor every week from November to March could be your neighbor, the person sitting next to you in precept or a close friend. They work hard every year to give you something to be proud of, something to cheer for, something to be excited about. Return the favor by giving them a crowd to look forward to when they step out of the locker room. Let visiting teams know that the Jungle is not an easy place to tread through. When members of the Class of 1996 look back on their days at Princeton, they don’t remember that last final or problem set. They remember the backdoor pass from Steve Goodrich ’98 to Gabe Lewullis ’99 with 3.9 seconds left to push the Tigers past defending champion UCLA in the first round. They remember coming together as a campus to cheer their classmates on. Join the Jungle and add to your Princeton memories. Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing you made a difference, realizing that you gave the team that last spurt of energy in the waning seconds of a close game.

In short, join the Jungle for three reasons: good friends, good basketball and great times.

Selcuk and Sar are the heads of the Jadwin Jungle, a student group dedicated to the men’s basketball team.