Ivy Hoops Online correspondent George “Toothless Tiger” Clark reflects on a 71-67 comeback win to remember for Princeton (14-4, 3-0 Ivy) over Columbia (11-5, 0-3) at Jadwin Gym Monday:
Xaivian Lee
Yale men’s basketball still has room for improvement after downing Dartmouth
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Bez Mbeng was not in the mood for mincing words after setting Yale’s all-time career steals record in an 83-67 win over Dartmouth Monday afternoon.
“I love defense,” Mbeng, who passed former Yale standout Alex Zampier (2006-10) for the record, said.
And as he has for most of the last three seasons for Yale, Mbeng led the way in that department Monday at Lee Amphitheater, harassing Ryan Cornish, Connor Amundsen, or whomever else he was in the neighborhood of, finishing with three steals to go with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
“It means a lot to me,” Mbeng said. “A lot of credit goes to my teammates and coaches for getting me better and putting me in good positions to get those steals. I’m just really thankful right now.”
LISTEN: How Princeton men’s basketball nipped Dartmouth, 81-80, in an instant classic
Ivy Hoops Online correspondent George “Toothless Tiger” Clark recaps an instant classic 81-80 win for Princeton men’s basketball (13-4, 2-0 Ivy) at Dartmouth (7-8, 1-1) Saturday:
Princeton men’s basketball survives Harvard, 68-64
BOSTON – There were plenty of mistakes, their shooting was inconsistent, and closing the game out was a mess. But in the end, it was a 68-64 road victory for Princeton over Harvard to open Ivy League play Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers will gladly take it and be on their way.
“The league is so even this year. Even this game, next weekend at Dartmouth, it’s going to be hard. On the margins, that’s where we’ve been really trying to get better,” Princeton coach Mitch Henderson said. “I think it’s kind of going to be whomever is needed on a night that’s going to get us through.”
LISTEN: Sizing up Princeton men’s basketball stands as Ivy League play nears
Ivy Hoops Online correspondent George “Toothless Tiger” Clark reflects on Princeton men’s basketball’s 10-4 start to the 2024-25 season with Ivy League play slated to start on Jan. 11 at Harvard:
Just how vulnerable is Princeton men’s basketball?
PRINCETON, N.J. – By now, you’ve probably seen Dalen Davis’ game-winning three-pointer to beat Akron 76-75 on Monday afternoon, completing a remarkable comeback, not for the first time this season for Princeton.
The win over the Zips (7-5) may have been the most impressive comeback, down 11 with seven minutes left, but the Tigers also overcame deficits against Iona, Northeastern, Merrimack, Monmouth and Rutgers.
Impressive fortitude, yes. But is it a sign of a veteran team that will continue to do this for the next few months, or an ominous omen that the preseason Ivy League favorites might be extremely vulnerable this season?
LISTEN: How Princeton men’s basketball eked out 83-82 win over Rutgers in instant classic
Ivy Hoops Online correspondent George “Toothless Tiger” Clark reflects on an unforgettable 83-82 win for Princeton (9-4) over Rutgers (7-5) Saturday at the Prudential Center:
Princeton men’s basketball’s clash with Rutgers was great drama on many levels
Rutgers went undefeated in the regular season in 1975-76. The following fall, I ran into then-Michigan coach Johnny Orr and asked him why his team thrashed Rutgers, a one-point favorite in the national semis. His response was to the effect that Michigan guard Rickey Green was faster than the Rutgers star who was known as fast Eddie Jordan. He was right.
Mitch Henderson entered the Rutgers game Saturday tired of having to talk Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper pregame.
“I wanted to talk (Xaivian) Lee and (Caden) Pierce,” Henderson said postgame.
LISTEN: Princeton men’s basketball musters 71-67 win over Monmouth
Ivy Hoops Online correspondent George “Toothless Tiger” Clark reflects on a 71-67 victory for Princeton (8-4) over Monmouth (1-10) at Jadwin Gym Tuesday night:
LISTEN: Reflections on Princeton men’s basketball’s 69-63 loss at Furman
Ivy Hoops Online correspondent George “Toothless Tiger” Clark recaps and reflects on a 69-63 loss for Princeton men’s basketball (7-4) at Furman (9-1) Saturday: