It doesn’t even look like they’re struggling per se. They’re just not trying.
I guess they’ve punted on the regular season. More focused on long-term concerns like getting Happy reps as a playmaker and getting Davis going again.
Lee with only 2 shots is the most damning piece of evidence.
As I said, there are no light bulbs going on for this gang.
Now I fully believe the Penn commenter when he said Xaivian told people at an NYU game that he was coming back next season.
I’m guessing the team will prep for a ILT run - which they’d make even at 8-6. But other than that, it’s about getting better overall not winning close games by running Caden and Xaivian into the ground.
Same as last year about this time
Even my usually hot head is at peace with this sorry effort. The regular season title is 99.9% out of reach anyway. Just stay healthy and work on our weaknesses for March (and next season).
I disagree, gokinsman. Yale is barely leading Penn at the half and Cornell is getting destroyed by Harvard. None of this makes any sense to me. Are Xaivian and Caden sick or injured? How does a guy that drops 33 points in a game and hungers to take the winning shot in back to back games just completely lose all interest in scoring the ball? Is Brown’s defense that good? Feels like we’re watching a bad NBA team that is purposely tanking.
To some extent, it’s probably desperation/effort. Harvard, Brown and Penn all have their backs up against the walls. Lose and it’s curtains for their ILT hopes.
That said, Yale will probably end up routing Penn and Cornell can be feast or famine with the style they play.
Guess I’m picking up your hot head persona tonight. Tigers playing with a little more energy in the second half. And Xaivian hit a nice three.
Imagine you’re a sports bettor. Not many NCAA games on Friday, so you put money down on Ivy League games… and you see THESE results.
That should be the first rule of gambling: “Do NOT bet on Ivy men’s hoops!”
I won’t be shocked if they make a late run. With the exception of Wright State, they’ve always made a run no matter how big the deficit.
But it just feels different tonight. I don’t even see frustration like the Yale game. Just low energy.
Even down 20, Xaivian is passing up lots of shots. Meanwhile, Davis is getting those shots instead and he has 11pts already. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. They’re definitely trying to get Dalen going even if it’s not gonna help us win this game.
Another observation to support my “punt for the ILT/2026” theory: Byriel isn’t playing at all.
I’ve been tough on him but he’s been a big part of most of this team’s wins. It really feels like Mitch has decided to give CJ Happy all of his minutes even if it loses games in the short-term.
Playing with more energy now. Lee and Cade each had a really nice drive to the hoop–moves that were regular features of their games earlier in the year. Lead down to 16, which I only know by following along on ESPN because the ESPN+ feed has no score or time.
Whatever happens, it’s nice to see Davis having himself a good scoring game. It’s been a while and it’s clearly hurt his confidence.
We have no inside game this year which has been our biggest problem.
I’m confident Happy can be that interior scorer next year. He has the tools, just needs more seasoning - a lot of overdribbling leading to TOs. And barely missed layups.
Much more intensity and the lead is down to 12 despite woeful shooting.
Starting to wonder if the tactic is to lulll the opposing team and fans to sleep, sneak in, and steal the game.
Penn within 1 point of Yale.
Interesting. Guess I overestimated Yale - still think they’ll pull it out though.
Cornell within at Harvard.
Caden needs to dunk the damn ball.