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Princeton University Athletics
Men's Basketball Hosts Harvard, Looks for Weekend Sweep
February 07, 2004 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 7, 2004
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The Princeton men's basketball team looks to complete a sweep of its home weekend with Dartmouth and Harvard for the 14th consecutive season when the Crimson come to Jadwin Gym Saturday night for a 7:30 p.m. game (Patriot Media, WPRB 103.3 FM, GoPrincetonTigers.com).
Though the Tigers (10-6, 3-0 Ivy) have defeated Harvard (2-16, 1-4 Ivy) eight straight times, it's doubtful that Princeton is looking past the Crimson towards Tuesday night's matchup with archrival Penn. Princeton and Harvard have played a one- or two-point game each of the last three seasons.
Princeton is on a season-high four-game winning streak for a variety of reasons, the most impressive one being the Tigers' defensive performance in Ivy League play. The Tigers have held Brown, Yale and Dartmouth to just 33% combined shooting overall and 17% combined shooting from three-point range. In their last eight games overall dating back to Dec. 29, Princeton is holding its opponents to just 36% shooting.
The Tigers have also been impressive offensively in recent games, particularly from three-point range. Princeton is shooting 45% from behind the arc (29-for-64) during its four-game winning streak and made eight of its first 11 three-point shots against Dartmouth Friday.
Speaking of three-pointers, senior guard Ed Persia is now tied with C.J. Chapman '01 for seventh all-time at Princeton with 139 three-point shots. Persia can move into seventh place alone with one three-pointer tonight and needs just six "trifectas" to pass Chris Mooney' 94 and move into sixth place. NOTE OF THE DAY
On the Defensive -- Princeton has held its first three Ivy League opponents to combined 42-for-126 (33.3%) shooting from the field overall and 7-for-41 (17%) shooting from three-point range.
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More Defensiveness -- The Tigers have held their last eight opponents dating back to Dec. 29 to combined 36% shooting from the field (131-for-362).
Even More Defensiveness -- The last team to score more than 58 points against the Tigers this season was now-top-ranked Duke (69 points) back on Dec. 17.
How 'Bout Some Offense -- Princeton had assists on 17 of its 23 baskets against Dartmouth Friday. The Tigers also made eight of their first 11 attempts from three-point range.
How' Bout Some Rebounding -- The Tigers have outrebounded their first three Ivy League opponents by an average margin of 12 rebounds per game (34-22).
Clean Sweeps -- Princeton has swept its home weekend with Dartmouth and Harvard in each of the last 14 seasons. The last win at Jadwin for either of those teams was by Harvard on Feb. 3, 1989.
Close Calls -- Princeton has beaten Harvard eight straight times, but the teams have played a one- or two-point game in each of the last three seasons.
Back on Track -- During their four-game winning streak, the Tigers are shooting 29-for-64 (45.3%) from three-point range. Princeton shot 78-for-245 (31.8%) from behind the arc in the first 12 games of the season.
Home Cookin' -- Princeton plays six of its next eight games at home (in the next 21 days) after playing six of its first 16 games at Jadwin Gym in a two-and-a-half month span.