PRINCETON GAMEDAY: TIGERS WRAP UP NON-LEAGUE PLAY AT DELAWARE
WHO: Princeton (11-1) at Delaware (8-4) WHEN: Saturday, 2 p.m., Bob Carpenter Center, Newark, Del.
TV/ RADIO: NBCSP; FloHoops/ The Varsity Network
LAST TIME OUT: Princeton def., Delaware Valley, 84-53; Delaware lost to Rider, 88-85, in OT STREAK: Princeton W2; Delaware L1 SERIES HISTORY: Princeton leads, 6-4. Powered by a combined 45 points from Jyáre Davis and Christian Ray, the Blue Hens won at Jadwin last season, 76-69, in just the 10th all-time meeting between the schools and first since the 1989-90season. The Tigers are 4-0against the CAA this season with victories over Hofstra, Northeastern, Monmouth and Drexel. Delaware is leaving the CAA for Conference USA at the start of the 2025-26 academic year.
NCAA NET RANK: Princeton 23; Delaware 139 KENPOM RANK: Princeton 53; Delaware 140 SCOUTING PRINCETON: The Tigers have won their last two, but in reality they haven’t played a competitive game since a 74-70 setback at St. Joe’s on Dec. 10. Coach Mitch Henderson’s starting five all played less than 15minutes in last Friday’s win over Division III Delaware Valley. While the break will have provided rest for a starting unit that was heavily taxed, it begs the question if there will be any rust in the final non-conference game of the season. Princeton’s NET has held steady in the 20s since it last played a Division I opponent — games against nonDivision I teams don’t count toward your metrics — and a sixth true road win would help that. The Tigers are among the most efficient offenses in the country. They rank ninth in 2-point percentage (59.3), 23rd in adjusted efficiency (115.8), 25th in effective field goal percentage (56.1) and 13th in 3-pointers made per game (10.5).
SCOUTING DELAWARE: The Blue Hens had a top-100NET until they lost at home to Rider in overtime on Dec. 20. They’ve had 10days to stew over that one ahead of what is also their final non-conference game. Delaware has some similarities to Princeton in that it often plays five-out and looks for drive-andkick opportunities, although it makes about three fewer 3s per game. The Hens struggled defensively in their last game, allowing 54.2% shooting overall. Davis, a 6-7 senior, could be the best forward the Tigers face all season. He matched a career-best 28points against Rider and is averaging 19.6points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.7assists for the season. Gerald Drumgoole Jr. (11.7 points), Jalun Trenton (11.2 points), Cavan Reilly (11 points, 39.7% from 3) and Christian Ray (8.8points, 8.7 rebounds) round out the starting five.