PRINCETON GAMEDAY: TIGERS HEAD TO YALE FOR IVY TITLE REMATCH
WHO: Princeton (14-5, 5-1) at Yale (13-6, 3-3) WHEN: Saturday, 7p.m., John J. Lee Amphitheater, New Haven, Conn.
TV/ RADIO: ESPN+/ Princeton Sports Network LAST TIME OUT: Princeton def. Dartmouth, 9390in OT; Yale def. Penn, 70-63
STREAK: Princeton W2; Yale W2
SERIES HISTORY: Princeton leads, 151-96. Yale has had the upper hand of late, including a thrilling 66-64victory in the Ivy League Tournament final last season. The teams split the regular-season meetings, with each winning on the road. In fact, the Tigers’ victory in New Haven last season snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series. KENPOM RANK: Princeton 100; Yale 92
NCAA NET RANK: Princeton 98; Yale 91 SCOUTING PRINCETON: The Tigers arrive at the Amphitheater with a chance to lay down a real marker as the team to beat in the Ivy League. They have a one-game lead over Cornell, with four teams — Yale included — bunched together at 3-3overall. … A victory would also give coach Mitch Henderson the 200th of his career. The 12th-year coach ranks third in Princeton history behind Franklin ‘Cappy’ Cappon (150) and the great Pete Carril (514). Henderson already became the eighth coach in Ivy history to win 100 league games earlier this season. … Keeshawn Kellman put in 18points against Dartmouth to break out a slump in which he scored just four points over the previous three games. Kellman’s interior presence can be an X-factor for the Tigers because he ranks atop the league in field goal percentage (64.3%). … Princeton ranks in the top 16nationally in defensive rebounds per game (3rd; 30.11), rebound margin (4th; 8.6) and total rebounds per game (16th; 39.79). … Tosan Evbuomwan is rounding into form at just the right time. The reigning Ivy Player of the Year is averaging 23points over the last two games. For the season, he’s averaging 13.6points, six rebounds and 4.5assists.
SCOUTING YALE:
If the Bulldogs are going to get back into the regular-season title race they almost certainly have to win on Saturday or else would find themselves three games back with seven to play. James Jones’ side has won two straight over Dartmouth and Penn after a 1-3start to league play that included a loss to Columbia. … Yale has four players averaging in double figures, paced by 6-foot-6forward Matt Knowling at 14.5points on 60.1% shooting. Knowling does most of his damage in the paint around the basket. Same for the 6-foot-8E.J. Jarvis (10.5points, 5.3rebounds), while August Mahoney (10.2points, 46.2% on 3s) is the top threat from beyond the arc. … Also keep an eye on guard Bez Mbeng. The 6-foot-4sophomore out of Maryland averages 8.7points and isn’t a particularly great shooter (29.5% on 3s), but he’s a solid defender and has a knack for popping up in big spots on both ends of the floor.