I noticed Lee yawning before the game on Friday too. Did not think too much about it at the time but he had an off night. Mbeng causes a lot of off nights. Stanton impressed me as being quick enough to guard zLilly. He could be an impact player this year.
After the Rutgers win, Xaivian said he was sick all week and had a terrible practice. Though he had a great game overall, he shot just 7-22. When I saw him yawning before a nationally televised game against Yale, I instantly had a bad feeling about it. Especially against Mbeng.
According to Verbal Commits, Stanton had a 18 D-I offers including multiple Ivies and MVC teams. Looks like the scouting was on point. Davis was a sparkplug off the bench last season; hoping Stanton can do the same this season.
The turning point was the starters seeing the bench go in there and ball out twice in one weekend.
Now the team has some depth, a bit of size with Happy, and a much better attitude on both ends of the floor. Hicke and Stanton have that knack for affecting every possession both ways in Princeton’s favor. Stanton’s ball-hawking defense is the first guy the team has had like that since Jose Morales–put him in and he will apply one-man pressure on the opposition (plus he can shoot). Hicke is more physical and polished and can make plays in the half court. Happy looks pretty much like a classic Princeton center, and when he is in there with the other bench guys they run a semblance of a classic Princeton offense. At the least, he helps with rim protection.
MH said “no turning back” after the Rutgers game, and the team turned back. The difference this time may be the threat of lost playing time.