Thoughts on Princeton men’s basketball’s comeback victory over Furman

The Princeton men’s basketball team continued its magical opening to the 2023-24 season as the Tigers rallied for the second game in a row to overcome a talented Furman team, 70-69, in a Saturday matinee matchup at Jadwin Gymnasium.  It was the first matchup ever between the two programs, both of which enjoyed Cinderella runs in last season’s NCAA Tournament.

The Tigers trailed for most of the game and appeared headed for defeat when junior guard Blake Peters missed an open three with 2:43 to go in the game and Furman leading by nine, 67-58.  The miss from distance punctuated Princeton’s and Peters’ futility to that point, as the Tigers had shot a woeful 2-for-27 from beyond the arc.  Yet somehow, the Tigers managed to claw their way back in the final minutes to win the game, and extend their unbeaten streak to eight.

Three reactions to Princeton’s astonishing comeback victory:

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LISTEN: Delving into Princeton men’s basketball’s 6-0 start

Mitch Henderson has pushed the right buttons for Princeton men's basketball throughout a 6-0 start to the 2023-24 season. (Princeton Athletics)

George “Toothless Tiger” Clark takes stock of what has driven Princeton men’s basketball’s 6-0 start:

Princeton men’s basketball stifles Monmouth, 82-57, to improve to 4-0

Princeton men’s basketball is the only unbeaten team in the country that hasn’t played a home game so far this season, according to basketball analytics expert Ken Pomeroy. Ivy Hoops Online contributor George “Toothless Tiger” Clark breaks down how Princeton stayed that way in an 82-57 victory at Monmouth Saturday:

Four reflections on Princeton men’s basketball’s 3-0 start

After defeating the Duquesne Dukes of the Atlantic 10 Conference, 70-67, Wednesday night at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh, Princeton men’s basketball is off to a 3-0 start, its best beginning since the 2015-16 campaign, when the Tigers won their first four games.  

Here are four reflections on the season so far for the two-time defending Ivy League champions:

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Takeaways from Princeton men’s basketball securing 3-0 start with 70-67 win at Duquesne

Listen to Ivy Hoops Online contributor George “Toothless Tiger” Clark analyze Princeton men’s basketball’s 70-67 win in Pittsburgh over a KenPom top-85 Duquesne squad, the Tigers’ second win over a team in that echelon away from Jadwin Gym in three games to become one itself:

Caden Pierce explosion sparks Princeton men’s basketball in 74-67 win at Hofstra

Ivy Hoops Online writers George “Toothless Tiger” Clark and Rob Browne deliver their respective audio and written reports on Princeton men’a basketball’s 74-67 victory at Hofstra Friday night:

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — No Mitch Henderson, no problem.

Princeton men’s basketball’s leader was ejected eight minutes into Friday night’s contest, but a career-high 26 points and 15 rebounds from Caden Pierce propelled Princeton to a convincing 74-67 victory over Hofstra at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex Friday night.

Following a Pierce travel, Henderson yelled at the lead official and was quickly called for two technical fouls. As the coach headed towards the locker room or the nearby Jersey Mike’s on Hempstead Turnpike, associated head coach Brett MacConnell took over the reins for fourth time in his career.

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Four observations on Princeton men’s season-opening win over Rutgers

The Princeton Tigers men’s basketball team opened the 2023-24 season with a statement win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, 68-61, in front of more than 6,000 fans at CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton in what was dubbed the “Jersey Jam.”  Here are four observations about the Tigers’ triumph over their in-state rival:

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Princeton men top Rutgers, 68-61, in first meeting since 2013

When two teams play and one team has three players who would be stars on the other team, the former team normally wins. Form held true in Trenton Monday night as Princeton men’s basketball defeated Rutgers, 68-61, in Princeton’s first meeting with the Scarlet Knights since 2013 in what was called the “Jersey Jam.”

Those three players? Matt Allocco, Caden Pierce and Xaivian Lee. All three Tigers would start for Rutgers and probably five or six other Big Ten teams.

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