Author: jtemplon

UMBC Close To Completing Amazing Turnaround

Perhaps the rise of the UMBC basketball program can be explained best not by its 68-59 win at a veteran New Hampshire squad Sunday afternoon, but by the relative lack of shockwaves such a victory made around the rest of America East.

The Retrievers are in second place now after all, at 9-3, and – with all due apologies to Albany and Hartford – are probably Vermont’s biggest obstacle en route to another NCAA Tournament berth.

Continue reading “UMBC Close To Completing Amazing Turnaround” →

Princeton’s Defense Continues To Be Missing

Princeton did lose Spencer Weisz and Steven Cook to graduation last season, both huge pieces in a squad that was supposed to usher in a new era of Ivy League dominance for the Tigers, which had finished 28-2 in the last two years in Ivy play. However, Princeton had also somehow maneuvered around season-ending injuries to starters Henry Caruso and Hans Brase and came within seconds of beating Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament.

Devin Cannady, Myles Stephens, and Amir Bell returned, so surely the Tigers would find enough from newcomers to at least contend for another Ivy crown.

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Donahue Winning With Defense At Penn

While Dartmouth had been extremely competitive in Ivy League play, it was still somewhat surprising to see the winless Big Green leading Penn by four heading to the final media time out Friday night at Leede Arena.

A hoop or two in the next couple of possessions could finally give Dartmouth its first league win and give it fleeting hope at least of the beginnings of an improbable run to its first Ivy League Tournament. After all, Penn had started 0-6 last year and pulled it off.

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MAAC Weekly Recap & Power Rankings – February 7

1) Rider (17-7, 10-2 MAAC) – 74-59 W @ Quinnipiac (2/4)

The Broncs retain their spot atop this week’s rankings after becoming the first team to reach 10 league wins. Stevie Jordan led four Broncs in double figures in the win at Quinnipiac. The sophomore point guard was 7-11 from the field, with six assists. Continue reading “MAAC Weekly Recap & Power Rankings – February 7” →

Columbia Tops Harvard in Manhattan Once Again

Harvard entered Friday night unbeaten in Ivy League play and coming off three straight away wins. Its road momentum continued early on, as the Crimson built a 15-point lead midway through the first half. But an offensive barrage from Columbia, plus a few key stops, completed a comeback that left the Lions with an 83-76 victory. Continue reading “Columbia Tops Harvard in Manhattan Once Again” →