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Princeton University Athletics
Men's Basketball Returns From Exam Break to Host Southern Vermont
January 22, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 22, 2004
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It's become a tradition for the Princeton men's basketball team to welcome an NCAA Division III opponent to Jadwin Gym on the first Monday following first-semester exams. The Tigers hope that the result of Monday's game against Southern Vermont is traditional as well.
Princeton's margin of victory in the last 18 years in the annual post-exam game is nearly 32 points per game, and every one of those 18 victories but one has come by a double-digit margin. The Tigers (6-6) have also averaged nearly 80 points per game in those 18 games, including a 99-point performance against Ursinus last year.
While the Tigers haven't played since losing a heartbreaker at Minnesota Jan. 10, the Mountaineers will have played six games in that same time period. Southern Vermont, which finished 24-6 last season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament, moved to 7-6 on the season with a win over Johnson & Wales Wednesday night and hosts Emerson College Saturday.
Of course, Princeton's motivations for Monday's game also include getting its legs ready for the beginning of Ivy League play next Friday night at Brown (7 p.m., WPRB 103.3 FM, GoPrincetonTigers.com). The Tigers have won at least their first two conference games in each of the last seven years.
NOTE OF THE DAY
Remember Us? - The Tigers return to the court tonight for the first time in 16 days. In the 15 days between Princeton's last game and today, 635 Division I men's college basketball games have been played. EIGHT MORE THINGS YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT
Back in Action... - Princeton is playing an NCAA Division III team on the Monday after the conclusion of first-semester exams for the 19th straight season.
Divide & Conquer - The Tigers have never lost in their previous 18 post-exam games against Division III teams. The average score of those games has been 79.3-47.9.
Party Like It's 99 - Princeton scored 99 points in its win over Division III Ursinus last year, the most points by the Tigers in a game since a 99-68 win over Rutgers in the first game of the 1971-72 season.
Shooting Stars - In their three victories at Jadwin Gym this season, the Tigers have combined to shoot 75 for 137 (54.7%) from the field.
Leading the Pack - Princeton ranks in the Top 30 nationally in NCAA Division I in scoring defense (57.3, 10th), fewest turnovers per game (12.5, 14th) and field-goal percentage (.476, 28th).
Home, Sweet Home - Counting tonight's game, Princeton plays eight of its next 12 games at home. Entering tonight, the Tigers had played eight of their last 10 games on the road or at a neutral site.
Taking Care of It - Princeton's starting backcourt (Ed Persia, Scott Greenman, Will Venable) has combined for a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio through 12 games this season (102 assists, 51 turnovers).
Conference Call - Princeton opens Ivy League play Friday at Brown. The Tigers have won at least their first two conference games in each of the last seven seasons.
MORE NOTES & ANECDOTES
Divide & Conquer II - Princeton's win over The College of New Jersey in 1998 came by nine points. The Tigers have won every other post-exam game against a Division III opponent by double digits.
60-60 Proposition - Princeton is 6-0 this season when it scores 60 or more points and 0-6 when it scores 59 or fewer points.
Back to the 50's - In their six wins this season, the Tigers have shot 151 for 281 (53.7%) from the field. In their six losses this season, the Tigers have shot 119 for 286 (41.6%) from the field.
Proposition Three - In their six wins this season, the Tigers have shot 44 for 119 (37.0%) from three-point range. In their five losses this season, the Tigers have shot 34 for 126 (27.0%) from three-point range.
Close Calls - Five of Princeton's six losses have come by four points or less, and the Tigers had a chance to tie or go ahead in each of those five games in the final two minutes of regulation.
More Close Calls - Two Princeton games this season have come down to game-tying attempts at the buzzer?a 51-49 loss to Rutgers Dec. 6 and a 58-55 loss to Oklahoma Jan. 3.
The Streak Continues! - Princeton, along with Vanderbilt and UNLV, are the only teams to have made at least one three-point shot in every game since the rule came into effect for the 1986-87 season. The Tigers' streak currently stands at 478 games.
Heatin' Up - Ed Persia is shooting 28 for 56 (50%) from the field over his last five games. In the previous seven games, Persia shot 19 for 55 (34.5%) from the field.
Accepting Charity - Ed Persia has made 17 consecutive free throws dating back to a miss at Columbia Feb. 7 of last season. Persia is 10 for 10 from the free-throw line this year.
Three-Mendous - Ed Persia has at least one three-point shot in all 12 games this season and in his last 16 games overall. Persia has at least one three-point shot in 35 of Princeton's 39 games over the last two years.
I'm Honored - Ed Persia was named the Ivy League Player of the Week for games ending Jan. 4. Persia tied a career high with 22 points at Loyola and scored 19 points in the near-upset of Oklahoma.
From Way Downtown... - Ed Persia now ranks eighth all-time at Princeton with 132 three-pointers. He needs eight three-pointers to pass C.J. Chapman '01 and move into seventh place on the all-time list.
Taking Care of It - Ed Persia and Will Venable rank first (44-21, 2.10-1) and second (41-22, 1.86-1) respectively in the Ivy League in assist-to-turnover ratio.
The Jadwin Effect - Judson Wallace is averaging 20.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game in four games at Jadwin Gymnasium this season.
A Judson Come Lately - Judson Wallace is averaging 16.9 points per game over his last 17 games dating back to Feb. 28 of last season. In the previous 42 games of his career, Wallace averaged 5.5 points.
Star Power - Judson Wallace scored 114 points (22.8 ppg) in Princeton's first five games this season. Wallace was ranked in the Top 10 nationally in scoring after the first five games of the season.
Making History - Judson Wallace has at least 26 points three times in 12 games this season; every other Princeton player combined has had at least 26 points in a game 15 times in the last 14 seasons.
Steppin' Out - Judson Wallace, who is 6-10, is third on the Tigers with 13 three-point shots. Wallace had two three-point shots at Minnesota Jan. 10, his first since the Lafayette game Dec. 22.
His Best Against the Best - Scott Greenman tied a career- and season high with 14 points against Oklahoma. Greenman shot 5 for 6 from the field in that game.
Not So Green Anymore - Scott Greenman has scored 90 points this season in 12 games after scoring 54 points his entire freshman season.
MORE FROM THE HARDWOOD
Deep Thoughts - Scott Greenman has 16 three-point shots in 48 attempts this year. Greenman had 10 three-pointers his entire freshman season.
Mr. Versatility... - Will Venable is second on the Tigers in assists (41), second on the team in rebounding (4.5 rpg) and second on the team in steals (15).
For Starters... - Will Venable has started all 38 games in which he has played over the past two seasons.
Nice to Have You Back - Andre Logan is shooting 33 for 60 from the field and averaging 10.6 points per game in his last seven games after going 0 for 6 in his first three games this season.
Start Me Up - Andre Logan set career highs with seven assists and four steals against Loyola Dec. 29. Logan earned his first start of the season in that game.
All about Andre - Andre Logan has played in just 13 of Princeton's last 55 games over the past three seasons due to knee and hand injuries.
Filling It Up Andre - Logan was leading Princeton in scoring in 2001-02 (9.3 ppg) before tearing a knee ligament in an Ivy League game at Harvard on Jan. 11, 2002.
One More Year - Andre Logan is a junior in eligibility. Logan withdrew from school for the spring semester last year after playing in just three games early in the season. He also had a second knee surgery last year.
The Big Fella - Mike Stephens had a career-high 10 points and played a career-high 27 minutes against Duke. Stephens tied a career high against Oklahoma with four rebounds.
Shooting Star - Mike Stephens is either a perfect 2 for 2 or 3 for 3 from the field in five of Princeton's 12 games this season. Stephens is shooting 22 for 37 (59%) from the field for the season.
First Things First - Konrad Wysocki has scored 41 of his 54 points this season in the first half. He scored seven of Princeton's first 10 points at Rutgers Dec. 13.
Start Me Up - Konrad Wysocki started Princeton's first eight games this season. In his previous three seasons combined, he started eight games.
A 50-50 Proposition - Konrad Wysocki is shooting 173 for 327 from the field (52.9 percent) for his career.
Special K - Konrad Wysocki was the Ivy League Rookie of the Year in 2000-01. Wysocki averaged 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game that season.
Super Schaen - Harrison Schaen was named to the Ivy League Honor Roll after shooting 6 for 7 from the field in games against Loyola and Oklahoma. Schaen then played a season-high 12 minutes in Princeton's loss to Minnesota Jan. 10.
Jersey Guy - Max Schafer scored his first career points on a first-half three-pointer at Fresno State and had a season-best three steals at Duke. Schafer is averaging 13 minutes per game in Princeton's last seven games.
Who's The New Guy - Luke Owings has 33 of the 61 points scored by Princeton freshmen this season. Owings attended the same high school (Gonzaga) as Princeton head coach John Thompson.
Better Guard ?Em - Luke Owings is shooting 7 for 12 (58%) from three-point range this year. Owings is 12 for 21 (.571) overall from the field.