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TigerFan
PhD Student
Posts 1871
02-28-17 11:16 AM - Post#223999    

I'm starting a new thread to get us away from the unhelpful and untimely speculation on the last one. I'm looking forward to Friday's game, although not thrilled with the time.

Does Miller play more against the H bugs? Or do we see the committee of four share time?

Can Chambers and/or Aiken get something going? Or does Princeton's length and range at the guard positions keep them in check?

Which Tiger(s) will put up 20+ points this weekend?

Go Tigers!
bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
02-28-17 12:35 PM - Post#224013    

Steven Cook said all the right things post-game in Ithaca about the upcoming weekend. I am sure that there will be a lot of emotions for Weisz, Cook, Miller and other seniors, including Hans Brase, as they approach the final weekend of their career at Jadwin. Emotions can be a good or bad thing so hopefully, they are focused on the task at hand of being the sole Ivy League champion.

Friday night will not only be a very good test for their defense but particularly their offense as the Crimson pose unique challenges. I am not sure who they put on Aiken as he may be too quick for Stephens. The other question defensively might be if Lewis or Edosomwan can get the ball out of the post quick enough when doubled. Should be a very good and challenging game. The Tigers should take nothing for granted and it would be good to be a statement game, if possible.
HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts 2685
02-28-17 01:19 PM - Post#224026    

This game is meaningless except for Princeton's desire for a perfect season. Neither coach will expose the game plan he plans on employing the following week.

If this were the NBA, the stars would sit and the team owner would gladly pay the fine.
SRP
Postdoc
Posts 4894
02-28-17 04:26 PM - Post#224037    

I think the Tigers will be motivated by general competitiveness, protecting the home court, going undefeated, establishing psychological dominance, wanting the top seed, and possible seeding at the NCAAs. You might see a lot more PT for backups, though, especially if they get an early lead.
JadwinGeorge
Senior
Posts 357
02-28-17 05:21 PM - Post#224047    

Lots of motivation for this one: 1. outright title 2. unbeaten at home in league for 2 years (only loss is St. Joe's when Caruso went down) 3. will need to beat H again next week. don't want a home loss heading into that one. Aiken is too fast for anyone in the league. have to run him off the 3 pt line and settle for 2's. their bigs make everything in the paint but we have doubled there with a lot of success. If we shot better up there it wouldn't have been that close. They will need their best game to win, but they are surely capable. kenpom has it Tigers -8
Tiger69
Postdoc
Posts 2801
02-28-17 05:35 PM - Post#224051    

harvard still has an outside shot at tying for the Title. If they don't make a serious effort to win Friday, maybe they should sit out the tourney and hit the books.
Old Bear
Postdoc
Posts 3988
02-28-17 05:39 PM - Post#224052    

T69, that sounds like a variation on Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Tiger69
Postdoc
Posts 2801
02-28-17 05:40 PM - Post#224053    

Seriously, harvarddadgrad's post illustrates that some may view participation in the NCAA more highly than winning the IL Championship. Something is wrong with this picture.
bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
02-28-17 05:55 PM - Post#224056    

I do not buy that either team will not be giving 100% effort on Friday night. The coaches may not show everything but there are no great secrets at this time of the year. The teams have one week to recover so there is no need to rest players. There is always an injury risk but ... It will be very easy to tell how hard both teams are playing based on defensive intensity, diving for balls, etc. as well as player rotations. I may be wrong.

A loss on Friday night will not be helpful for seeding purposes at the NCAA tournament if the Tigers or Crimson then win the God forsaken IL Tournament after losing Friday night. It might be a swing of one seed and we know what the odds are for the different seeds at the NCAA tournament. Right now, the Tigers have a combined average RPI rating of 60 vs. Harvard at 118 for the combined four rating services utilized by IL.

A stark reminder as to what can happen in one game is the 20.5 underdog BYU beating Gonzaga at Gonzaga down 10 points in the 2nd half. Play with great intensity but be confident.
SRP
Postdoc
Posts 4894
02-28-17 07:36 PM - Post#224066    

Assuming they play similar defense and run their offense as before, the game will likely reflect the Tigers' three-point shooting. If nobody's hot, they'll have to scratch for the win. If one guy is hot, low-to-mid single digit win. If two guys get hot, high-single-to low-double digit win.

Of course, that assumption may not hold. But given how consistently they've been playing lately it seems more reasonable to start with that.
SomeGuy
Professor
Posts 6391
02-28-17 10:17 PM - Post#224078    

I can't imagine that either team does anything other than go all out Friday night. Princeton has a million reasons to play their hardest (in addition to what everyone else has mentioned, it's also the final home games for some very competitive seniors). For Harvard, perhaps less is at stake, but I think piercing Princeton's aura of invincibility would be huge, both for Harvard's confidence and for Princeton's.
bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
03-01-17 06:18 PM - Post#224179    

1st game was a series of runs by both teams and very hard fought with Tigers getting off to a bad start offensively over the 1st 7 minutes, 4-10. Started to get turnovers and after a 6 pt half time expanded lead to 13 pts with 12 minutes to go. Back to back horrible passes lead to two breakaways and Harvard was back in the game and then Chambers took over and he was simply ferocious.

Stephens, Cook and Bell could get by Towns, Bassey and Johnson which lead to lay ups or wide open 3 pointers although Cannady and Goodsen were 0-10 on 3s' with wide open shots. Princeton 6-14 on FTs as well. Tigers have big height advantage at guard when Aikens and Chambers are on the floor. Stephens primarily guarded Towns and shut him down.

Each game is unique and there will probably be different players stepping up. Would anticipate hard fought game and watch out for Chambers and Aikens.


SRP
Postdoc
Posts 4894
03-01-17 07:02 PM - Post#224188    

There is definite potential to bomb these guys off the court from outside, given their lack of guard size and the ability of the Princeton forwards to drive past their men and kick out passes, as Bradley notes. But the shots have to go down.
joe nassau
Sophomore
Posts 150
03-02-17 01:37 PM - Post#224299    

Would be nice if PU's big guards ( Bell and Stephens ) would take Townes and Chambers inside? Use their lack of size against them and wear them down? Would also be nice if PU's bigs would go inside too? They really need to learn how to score around the basket because if they go to the tournament chances are they will be playing teams with some size?
HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts 2685
03-02-17 02:46 PM - Post#224311    

Towns is 6'7". Assume you meant Aiken.
bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
03-02-17 06:19 PM - Post#224337    

Cannady was guarding Chambers in 1st meeting, Stephens on Towns, Cook on Johnson and Weisz on Bassey with Bell getting a lot of playing time when Aikens was in the game. Cannady has definitely raised his intensity as a defender in recent games and if anyone gets hot, Stephens will be guarding him. Switching defense with interchangeable parts and long arms tends to keep teams on the perimeter.

Challenge may well be on scoring for the Tigers unless some 3 pointers drop. Would not be surprised if game is close with 5 minutes to go --- good test.

Unfortunately, can only attend one game this week and must attend Seniors Nights as these guys deserve a big round of applause.
joe nassau
Sophomore
Posts 150
03-03-17 12:54 PM - Post#224411    

My bad. Yes.
bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
03-03-17 05:01 PM - Post#224463    

Crimson will do their best from allowing Stephens, Cook and Bell to go the hoop. Would not be surprised if they drive and kick out for 3 pt shots. With Aiken and Chambers playing a lot of minutes together, it appears that Harvard is speeding up the tempo to get easier baskets. Mitch will probably have his guys switching to stop penetration. The more that Harvard passes the ball and goes deeper into the shot clock, the greater likelihood is that they will turn it over. Tempo may decide the winner.

Tigers should not let the sole championship clincher kick over to Saturday -- anything can happen if they are not very focused and ready to play. Play desperate and confident!
Tiger69
Postdoc
Posts 2801
03-03-17 06:32 PM - Post#224477    

"Desperate and confident"???
joe nassau
Sophomore
Posts 150
03-03-17 07:01 PM - Post#224481    

So far so good. Three PU starters are playing well. Cook really well.Makes up for Weisz bringing back his D game? And the bigs are shooting threes? Game's on ESPN if anyone doesn't know.
Chip Bayers
Professor
Posts 6997
Chip Bayers
03-03-17 07:56 PM - Post#224483    

Not sure I would have predicted prior to the game Amir Bell with the one-on-one clearout against Chris Lewis as the winning play.

1LotteryPick1969
Postdoc
Posts 2262
1LotteryPick1969
03-03-17 08:03 PM - Post#224485    

He seems to relish that role. Columbia doubled him.
joe nassau
Sophomore
Posts 150
03-03-17 08:07 PM - Post#224486    

Clutch plays by Bell and Stephens to seal it for PU.
Deja vu all over though as Harvard got hot from three PU got cold, Weisz was crap on offense and Mitch stood there like a statue?
mmp629
Junior
Posts 259
mmp629
03-03-17 08:09 PM - Post#224487    

I watched on ESPNU. Harvard...Tommy...Harvard...Tommy...Harvard
I know I'm a total homer, but jeez!
Tiger81
Masters Student
Posts 409
Tiger81
03-03-17 09:53 PM - Post#224563    

Awesome game! (and I agree the announcers were tedious ...)

Princeton was 8-26 and Harvard was 13-28 from the arc, which would result in a loss most nights. But defense was the story yet again, forcing 18 TOs while giving up just 5, which yielded 15 more shots (despite getting out-rebounded 36-24).

Steven Cook looked like the POY tonight and was the best player on the court, although Seth Towns sure is a stud. Myles Stephens was a force, hitting 3 treys early on and playing with tenacity all game long including the huge OR on the Tigers' final possession. Miller/Gladson/Brennan had only 2 points and 3 rebounds but they held Lewis/Zena to just 8 and 10. Weisz missed everything including numerous makeable deep post moves and an ugly out of control drive, but still had 7 assists (and just 1 TO).

And Amir Bell! Wow! After watching the replay, he started his move at exactly the right time, Chris Lewis sharply chest-bumped him as he cut to the hoop (not called somehow) yet he remained in control and calmly scored the game-winner.

Bryce Aiken has the best rookie stats in the league but in the two games against Princeton he was not a factor and forced a lot of high-difficulty shots. Siyani Chambers, who always seems to make plays when Harvard needs them, was also quiet and had 4 TOs.

Princeton will probably have to beat this team one more time to realize the promise of this dream season, which will be a tough trifecta. But the formula of defensive intensity + 2-3 of the 5 studs stepping up + poise and a killer instinct when the game is on the line seems to keep producing wins.

Go Tigers and huge congrats and thanks for a very memorable Ivy campaign this year.
bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
03-03-17 11:18 PM - Post#224606    

Amaker and the Crimson played their hearts out - no surprise at all. The notion that Amaker was going to use an expanded roster for this game was nonsensical -- sounded like an excuse by Crimson fans if Harvard would lose the game. Henderson played it the same way -- all out to win. It was a statement game for Harvard that they could compete with the Tigers and they accomplished that goal. Even with the 3 pt shooting differential and Weisz missing a bunch of easy shots, the Tigers win the game because they protect the ball much better than Crimson freshmen. Several Harvard 3 pointers bounced around the rim several times before going in. Princeton should come out of this game with even more confidence as Harvard defense clearly has weaknesses unlike prior years.

Edosomwan??? Not sure, why Stephens was not guarding Towns in the 1st half but Mitch decided to take Chambers out of the game. Cook plays big time against athletic teams.


sparman
PhD Student
Posts 1339
sparman
03-03-17 11:42 PM - Post#224613    

Let's be fair. It wasn't all Harvard. There was plenty of credit to Duke and UNC, too.
mmp629
Junior
Posts 259
mmp629
03-03-17 11:53 PM - Post#224615    

Yes, that's true too. Amaker is a dookie, right?
SRP
Postdoc
Posts 4894
03-04-17 03:52 AM - Post#224643    

The announcers were pretty bad about promoting the Duke-UNC game instead of covering what they were showing. And the fawning over Harvard, to the seeming exclusion of any backstory or discussion of Princeton, was annoying. I liked the Yale commentators better.

Early on, Princeton's double-teams were coming well after the ball had arrived to the post man, making it easy for him to get the ball out to the relay man for a perimeter pass to a wide-open shooter. Later, they went back to doubling during the flight of the ball, which made it a lot more effective, although Lewis (who played another terrific game against the Tigers) still managed some nice passes. Still, Princeton got their hands on a lot of passes and hurried the Harvard players into making some bad ones, leading to the big TO advantage for the game. Smart to blanket Chambers and make somebody else beat you. Unfortunately, the Crimson got a lot of good looks and knocked a ton of them down. Also it seemed to me that the level of physicality wasn't there for the Tigers, as they got beat to a lot of rebounds and loose balls, sometimes trying to bend over or reach while their opponents were diving for them. Luckily it didn't' come back to bite them.

Towns looked like the player I've feared he would be but wasn't in the previous games I watched. His shooting form is very smooth, and he even hit a couple of mid-range turnaround jumpers, I'm sure much to Mike James's chagrin. There's something almost stately about his game--even when he's moving quickly he doesn't look hurried. Aiken again looked like an overmatched, somewhat hotheaded freshman making dumb plays, and Harvard looked best when he was not handling the ball. The crowd's "airball" chant after he missed that early trey really seemed to bother him. I know his overall stats are great, but, wow, that long leash from Amaker is pretty long.

The ending play by Bell kind of seemed like a tiny bit of a reversal of the 2011 Brandon Knight-over-Kareem Maddox play in the NCAAs. Lewis played good defense there but Bell had better offense. Love his ability to drive.

Weisz made some amazing passes, including a bullet hook pass to Cannady that Devin inexplicably chose not to shoot off of. He had the right idea backing down the various Harvard runts who tried to guard him, but I think he only got one of his finishes to go down. Cannady looked like he was limping a bit after one play, but seemed to shake it off and at least managed to hit a couple of shots. Brennan played bigger minutes than usual and was pretty good though not shooting much, moving all over the court on defense and tipping some loose balls to advantage.

Cook was simply awesome. It was so much fun watching him put his whole repertoire on display--treys, backdoor cuts, drives for dunks, tip-in follows. And he played as well on D as anyone. Stephens had some tough luck with the officials and had some misses from in close but still made huge plays, scoring efficiently and ripping that key OR at the end to set up Bell's clincher.

You could tell that Princeton knew they were going to win. When Harvard came out in the second half and quickly erased their nine-point deficit, the body language of the Tigers and their play remained confident and poised. I think the winning streak and the experience of the key players has really cemented their sense of what they need to do and what they can do. That confidence may have led them to get outhustled at times tonight, but it served them well down the stretch.
bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
03-04-17 08:35 AM - Post#224650    

Congratulations to the seniors and the entire team in winning the IL Championship outright. No matter what happens at the silly tournament next weekend, these guys will always look at the banner hanging in Jadwin in down the road when they return to Princeton.

Coach H deserves much credit for turning around the team's fortunes after the rocky start. As he said last night, the commitment to defense turned the tide. The other characteristic that makes the team so special is not only that they share the ball but how effectively they do it with Weisz as the General. A lot of fond memories watching Tiger basketball over the years but this team was special. A perfect ending to their Jadwin career would be a 14-0 season but Dartmouth will be playing with great intensity.

Based on current projections, Team Rankings have the Tigers as having a 50% chance to win the IL Tournament with Harvard at 22% and Yale at 15%. Anything can and will happen in one game on one night but tonight is the night to celebrate and honor the seniors.
sparman
PhD Student
Posts 1339
sparman
03-04-17 09:34 AM - Post#224661    

Co-sign.

Is is true the League recognizes the regular season winner as champion? The ACC calls their tournament winner the league champion.

Beating Harvard 3 times will not be easy, if it comes to that, but a greater travesty would be allowing a team with a losing record to represent the League in the NCAA (this directed not specifically at Penn, who I think would not have an overall losing record if they win the tourney, but rather at the concept).
TigerFan
PhD Student
Posts 1871
03-04-17 10:48 AM - Post#224673    

SRP said:
  • Quote:
You could tell that Princeton knew they were going to win. When Harvard came out in the second half and quickly erased their nine-point deficit, the body language of the Tigers and their play remained confident and poised.



That was a thrilling win last night but I too felt a quiet confidence that the Tigers were going to win that I frankly can't ever remember feeling watching a close Princeton game.

There is a poise about this team that I don't think we've seen since the '98 dream season. After the tough OOC losses that resulted from difficulties at the end of games, these Tigers now play some of their best ball in the last few minutes.

Harvard is really good and will get better and better over the next few years. Towns was unstoppable for stretches last night and Lewis is a beast. Our length at guard (and the lusty harassment by our fans) gave Aiken fits, however. He is extremely quick but plays very small.
Tiger81
Masters Student
Posts 409
Tiger81
03-04-17 11:51 AM - Post#224684    

SRP and TF, you really nailed it: this year's team projects great resolve and focus and does not seem to get rattled easily. Weisz is indeed the General and the team seems to defer to his leadership. But it is not just Weisz; Cook plays with great energy and swagger, Stephens and Cannady know when to assert themselves, and even Alec Brennan, who often looked lost during his first two years, is now taking his shots without hesitation and becoming a presence on the defensive end.

For me, Amir Bell has been a revelation and is perhaps the unsung hero of this year's championship run. His skills have been apparent since his freshman year but they never seemed completely integrated into Princeton's system. But he has emerged as a major threat coming off the bench, leading the team in FG% and 3FG% and second only to Weisz in assists for league games. I don't know whether his isolation on the final possession was a pre-planned endgame strategy or a seizing of the moment, but it certainly appeared to be a situation the team had already prepared for, and he was very ready for his moment in the spotlight.

This year's team is one I will remember for a long time because of their chemistry and the skill level and selflessness of their starters + Bell, with Brennan and Gladson also playing important supporting roles. They are not a dominant team that crushes their opponents like the '98 team, but that may also be because the level of competition is now higher. In any case, I like their chances in the Crapshoot at the Palestra given their proven ability to play together, stick with their principles and rise to the occasion.
bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
03-04-17 12:04 PM - Post#224686    

It is true that the regular season winner of the Ivy League is deemed the Ivy League Champion. To the IL committee's credit, they got something right.
HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts 2685
03-04-17 12:24 PM - Post#224689    

Congratulations to Princeton for winning the League. Very much deserved, especially after losing two all-Ivy caliber players.

Well coached game last night. I never thought I'd see Harvard shoot nearly 50% from deep at Jadwin. Princeton's D' causing turnovers was the difference. No question in my mind that Henderson and the team strategized to take advantage of whomever Lewis was guarding and maneuvered so that a center was guarding a PG 35 feet from the basket with the lane cleared out. Baker wanted to help out but that would have left Weisz open for 3 from the corner. Well played Princeton.

Hope to see you again in Philly Sunday.
PennFan10
Postdoc
Posts 3580
03-04-17 12:31 PM - Post#224691    

  • bradley Said:
It is true that the regular season winner of the Ivy League is deemed the Ivy League Champion. To the IL committee's credit, they got something right.



They got most of it right, you just don't like it.

Tiger69
Postdoc
Posts 2801
03-04-17 12:37 PM - Post#224693    

Good comments all. The Tigers proved themselves the worthy Champion last night. Nothing, not even an upset tonight or next weekend can change that. Such outcomes would be greater setbacks to the IL than to this great team. One can only hope that these guys complete their extraordinary run to the NCAA.

As to Harvard, they are a great team with a possibly great future. But, if they somehow bounce back and become the IL bid without a title, the NCAA and the IL will be the biggest losers. And, harvard will not get the respect that they would have received had they won last night when it most counted.
HARVARDDADGRAD
Postdoc
Posts 2685
03-04-17 01:21 PM - Post#224707    

Someone commented that ESPNU commentators talked more about 10-3 Harvard last night than they did 13-0 Princeton. Seemingly ignored the national rankings as well. I don't think Harvard will be disrespected. Sort of like Notre Dame football, Harvard may get more national recognition than it might otherwise deserve, possibly justified due to past NCAA performances, Amaker's liberal use of 'touted' freshmen and Harvard's 17-4 record after a 1-4 start (losing in the final seconds in 3 of the games with the 4th at Vermont).

On another point, League can't appreciate the stretch run performances of the leading 4th seed candidates. Competition is between a team that started 0-6, a team that has lost 7 of 8, and a team that lost its first 9 games and was projected by some sources as possibly going winless the entire season. Inauspicious debut for the concept of inclusion. Regardless, 4th seed will have a losing league record.
PennFan10
Postdoc
Posts 3580
03-04-17 01:37 PM - Post#224712    

  • Tiger69 Said:

As to Harvard, they are a great team with a possibly great future. But, if they somehow bounce back and become the IL bid without a title, the NCAA and the IL will be the biggest losers. And, harvard will not get the respect that they would have received had they won last night when it most counted.



Why? It sure looks like to me that if either Princeton or Harvard gets to the NCAA, the Ivy League reputation will be just fine. Either one of these teams (and probably both) would represent well in a 64 team field.

Everyone is so worried about the "14 game tournament"...that ship has sailed. A majority of the outcomes of a 4 team tournament has a high quality IL team representing the league in the NCAA's. This year either P or H would be a great rep and I am no so sure Yale wouldn't be just fine as well.

bradley
PhD Student
Posts 1842
03-04-17 01:59 PM - Post#224719    

Amaker did the best job of any IL coach, not surprising, as to how to attack the Tiger help defense by quickly kicking the ball out of the post with Lewis. It is true that the Crimson shooters were somewhat delirious in hitting 3 pointers as there were not many uncontested shots in many instances. It is certainly possible that Harvard hits their 3 pt shots again next weekend or the Tigers go stone cold and they pull off an upset.

If Harvard wins next weekend, Crimson will probably be a #14 seed or possibly #15. If Princeton wins #13 seed, #12 possible but unlikely due to the 50 rpi rank differential between the two teams. Historically, big difference as to win/lost results with 2 seed deferential. Crimson should be competitive if they do not experience a freshmen "freeze up".

Still not counting out Yale with Jones at the helm and their toughness.

I have a lot of respect for Amaker, Chambers and the Crimson program. They are tough.
TigerFan
PhD Student
Posts 1871
03-04-17 03:12 PM - Post#224725    

Tigers up to #47 on CBS Sports daily RPI. The bracket boys seem to have them as the 2nd or 3rd #13 seed on their S-curves, which seem to be in near lock-step with the RPI. If Princeton wins out they could pull up to a #12 seed--a traditionally great place from which to pull off an NCAA upset.

On last night's great win, one point that hasn't been discussed here is the ease that Spencer had getting to the rim. The ball just wasn't dropping for him but if those shots went down, it would have been a comfortable win.
SRP
Postdoc
Posts 4894
03-04-17 03:32 PM - Post#224729    

I have every expectation that Harvard would do fine (not saying win necessarily, which will be challenging for any representative, but give a good account of themselves) in the NCAAs in the unfortunate event that they got the bid. That's not why the folly is so bad.

It is slightly nauseating to see Penn and Columbia butchering their way to a tourney back-in as the cream of the slop, with a puncher's chance at eliminating the league champion from the bid (maybe even on their home court). It is aggravating that two tough wins against Harvard only buy the chance to beat them a third time to get the bid. My confidence about the Tigers quality would only make a loss in the folly more painful and a win less exhilarating. But sweeping the league would be a huge achievement in itself so I hope they come out and take it to Dartmouth.
Tiger69
Postdoc
Posts 2801
03-04-17 04:07 PM - Post#224738    

All this concern about the possibility of an ugly tourney outcome is premature. We can deal with it IF it happens. We wear IL Crown even we may have to beat the 2nd place team THREE times to collect the bid our guys so obviously deserve.

GO TIGERS!



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