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Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
2007-08 Princeton Men's Basketball Quick Hits
October 24, 2007 | Men's Basketball
Princeton begins its 108th season of men's basketball Nov. 11 at home against Central Connecticut under a new head coach, Sydney Johnson '97, but with 13 letterwinners returning from a year ago.
Senior captains Kyle Koncz and Noah Savage will lead a Princeton team that features plenty of experience, including four starters from a season ago. Koncz is fully recovered from a foot injury that limited his play in the second half of the 2006-07 season, while Savage had an outstanding close to the year and looks to finish his career high on Princeton's all-time three-point shooting list.
Sophomore guards Marcus Schroeder and Lincoln Gunn each started every game last season, while that duo joined with fellow sophomore and 6-9 center Zach Finley to give the Tigers three freshman starters in each of their last 14 games.
The Tigers also play Iona at home Nov. 14 before heading to paradise for the Ivy League's first-ever appearance in the prestigious EA Sports Maui Invitational Nov. 19-21. Princeton plays Duke, for the third time in the last five seasons, in the first round.
Princeton Men's Basketball 2007-08
Quick Hits
The Legacy Continues...
Sydney Johnson '97 is the third straight Princeton graduate to serve as the school's men's basketball head coach, following Joe Scott '87 and John Thompson '88. He is the fourth straight Princeton head coach, along with Scott, Thompson and Bill Carmody, to have played and/or coached at Princeton under Naismith Hall of Famer Pete Carril.
Aloha, Maui
Princeton will participate for the first time in the EA Sports Maui Invitational, Nov. 19-21 at the Lahaina Civic Center. The Tigers will play Duke in the first round. Arizona State, Illinois, LSU, Marquette, Oklahoma State and host Chaminade are the other teams in the 2007 field.
Youth Was Served
Princeton started three freshmen (center Zach Finley and guards Marcus Schroeder and Lincoln Gunn) in each of its last 14 games in 2006-07. Both Schroeder and Gunn started every game last season, while Finley started 17 games, including each of the last 12 games.
On The Defensive
The Tigers led NCAA Division I in scoring defense in 2006-07, allowing their opponents an average of 53.3 points per game. Princeton allowed just 28 points in a home win over Rice Jan. 6, its fewest allowed against a Division I opponent since the 1990-1991 season.
Toughing It Out
Princeton's leading scorer in 2006-07, Kyle Koncz, did not practice after suffering a foot injury Dec. 30 at Iona. Despite that, he missed only two of the team's final 16 games, though he only scored in double figures twice in those 16 games. Koncz led Princeton with 51 three-point shots last season.
Bombs Away
The Tigers attempted 598 three-point shots and 583 two-point shots last season. Six of Princeton's top seven scorers from a year ago attempted at least 50 three-point shots.
Non-Conference Call
Princeton finished 9-5 in non-conference games last season. Three of the five non-league losses came to teams from the BIG EAST (Rutgers and Seton Hall) and the Southeastern Conference (South Carolina).
Together Again
Lincoln Gunn and Marcus Schroeder were also the starting backcourt at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif. before serving as the starting backcourt for Princeton in 2006-07.
Zach Attack
6-9 center Zach Finley shot nearly 47% from the field while starting the final 14 games in 2006-07. Finley twice led the Tigers in scoring in Ivy play, scoring 12 points against Cornell and Penn.
Shooting Star
Kyle Koncz was averaging 11.5 points per game and shooting 50% from three-point range last season before suffering a foot injury.
Arc Madness
Michael Strittmatter shot a team-best 44% from three-point range last season (22 for 50).
One and Two
Either Princeton or Penn has now earned the Ivy League's automatic NCAA tournament bid in each of the last 19 seasons (1989-2007). Princeton has gone nine of those years; Penn has gone 10 of those seasons.
Deep Thoughts
Princeton is one of only three Division I teams (Vanderbilt and UNLV are the others) to have made at least one three-point shot in every one of its games since the rule took effect for the 1986-87 season. The Tigers have now made at least one three-pointer in 577 straight games.
The 60's
Princeton has won 36 of its last 38 games in which it has scored at least 60 points in regulation time.
Shining Moments
Princeton has made 23 NCAA tournament appearances. Only 23 Division I schools have made more NCAA tournament appearances than the Tigers entering 2007-08.