“Anything is possible !”
一切皆有可能
Was able to watch this on replay last night.
What a tough, sustained effort on what was essentially Rutgers’ home court. The superb play of Lee and Pierce and timely contributions from their supporting cast was enough to overcome the TOs, missed FTs and Dalen Davis taking just 7 shots.
Not much to add to other commentary above except that this was the best offensive flow I have seen all year and it was against a very athletic, active defense.
Lee attracts so much attention and he has really lifted his game to become a very creative playmaker. The two-man game with Pierce is a thing of beauty but the rest of the team is also learning how to play off of Xaivian when he is doubled. Loved that mini-alley oop with Abdullahi!
And the stagnant possessions due to Lee isos were largely absent. Add in Pierce’s low post game and Davis, Byriel and Peters stretching the perimeter and the Tigers are a very tough team to defend.
The pieces have really came together over the past few games. Princeton has built a lot of momentum going into the Ivy gauntlet.
I agree that Davis’s lack of shots was one of the few
downsides.
Although he is a very good spot-up shooter, I think
he is best with the ball in his hands. I would like
to see one 4 minute segment in each half where he is paid with Peters. Giving Lee some rest might help
with the turnovers that seem fatigue-generated.
Late in the game, Lee’s legs weaken and he tends to fall as he drives; we got a VERY generous foul call on one occasion.
This is for Blake Peters: “Anything is possible” in Mandarin (or so the google translator says).
That was a lucky call for sure, but he also got hosed on a lot of missed shooting fouls - e.g. Bailey hacked him hard on a drive (no call), he got hit on the arm three times on 3s (got a whistle the third time), an uncalled goaltend on a layup “miss” that Mitch was apoplectic about.
There was a funny moment near the end, where Lee face-planted like he was taking a sitcom pratfall. You could see him smile afterward - he had to exaggerate the contact just to get the correct call.
As Al Davis (or Dick Vitale) would say: “Just win, baby.” Lee has truly become an all-around player this year. I’m okay with his FG% dropping a bit.
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For Lee to really embody the Steph Curry prototype the offense should include more of him moving without the ball, with others hitting him for trey spot-ups, backdoors, or drives after defensive close-outs. There are even lots of opportunities for simple return passes on the perimeter or give and go action off a handoff. That would make the team a little harder to guard and take some of the shot-creation pressure off of Lee’s (admittedly phenomenal) dribbling.
Hello everyone, this is Richard Kent, author of The Madness of Ivy Basketball, Rutgers grad and Yale color commentator. That was a tremendous Tiger win. Despite all the Rutgers alums opposing this game in the future, I feel that it must continue and it must continue as a home and home. Many have discussed a 2-1 at the RAC and Jadwin. That works. My take is simple: the 2 best Princeton players outplayed the 2 best Rutgers players for one solitary day and that day is all that matters. Kudos! Yale and Princeton will no doubt play 3 great ones. I have no clue at this juncture who will prevail 2-1.
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2-1 strikes me as major entitlement. Not much different than taking your ball home when you lose. Why should Rutgers be so afraid? As far as I know the schools alternate in every other sport they play.
I don’t disagree, but one can argue that the Tigers were entitled when they didn’t play Rutgers in football in New Brunswick from 1870-1938. That is staggering!
Freaking Hurley won’t play Yale at all, anywhere. At least Steve has said he will continue this series, which is my personal favorite. It means more to me than let’s say Michigan State-Rutgers.
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Anyone know when was the last moment Davis was in the ballgame? Playing Hicke at least the last 3 minutes–coach’s decision, or was Davis banged up? If Hicke was in there for his defense, would have expected a little more platooning–especially given the foul situation.
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According to the boxscore, Davis subbed out with 6:50 left in the game. I think Hicke played down the stretch because of his size/length. For example, on that final 3pt try by Harper, it was Hicke on him (with Lee helping out). There’s only so much a 6-0 guy like Davis can do.
I hope Dalen doesn’t get discouraged if his minutes/shots drop. His time to shine will come in the next two seasons - he’ll probably be the #1 option when Lee is gone. Right now, size and defense are more important to have around Lee, Pierce and Peters.
Found this great “cinematic” footage of the game on YouTube:
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It was 100% a match-up issue, Hicke being bigger and it paid off defensively.
Is there a link where I can indulge in the schadenfreude of Rutgers fans bellyaching about playing against PU?
Why schaden? Just freude 
Rutgers rivals and hit men’s basketball.