This is obviously a crucial weekend for Men’s Basketball.
With the final two games against Penn and Princeton,
Columbia has a chance to achieve some of the key goals of the season.
First, the Lions need to win at least one of the games to
secure their first winning Ivy record in 21 years.
A sweep would give Columbia an impressive 20-win season.
After last week’s embarrassing loss to Harvard, I don’t
expect Columbia to have any chance at an NIT berth. You have to remember the
extreme low regard the general sports world has for Ivy athletics. But a slot
in the CBI Tournament would not be out of the question if CU sweeps.
Yes, it has been a very good season for Columbia hoops so
far. But this weekend is where we really get a measure of the team going into
next year.
One thing I have to say about Coach Kyle Smith right now is
that he’s doing something very positive with the DEVELOPMENT of his players.
Guys like Alex
Rosenberg and Maodo Lo are a lot better than they were last year, even
though they were already pretty good.
Can anyone remember the last time we saw a talented young
player in football really get better as the years went on? Honestly, I can only
think of football players who got WORSE instead of better over the years.
Horrific coaching and injuries are almost always the reasons why and people
like Marcorus Garrett and Sean Brackett
come to mind. One exception was Marcellus
Wiley, who then-Head Coach Ray Tellier recognized as a budding D-Lineman
and switched him at a good time.
But more examples abound of players who either stayed still
or simply got worse instead of better even after All Ivy seasons. Players like TE
Hamilton Garner, an All Ivy
selection as a sophomore who barely got into the offensive mix his final two
seasons. Players like OL Scott Ward,
also an All Ivy awardee, who was marginalized even more than Garner. The list
really goes on and on.
Let’s face it: the state of Columbia football right now is that
basically we’re a developmental/instructional league team. With no JV
experience and so many freshmen playing in key positions last season, it was
obvious these guys were learning as they go.
But if the usual order of things for CU football continues,
this will end up being a major disaster. These players with no real experience
really need to get much, much, much better over time or CU will never win
another game ever again.
I hope the Mangurian regime has a plan here, but damned if
anyone knows for sure.
24 comments:
Not sure I agree that Ivy basketball is held in low regard. I think it is among the better mid-majors, with three teams with winning record in OOC games this year. If you play almost 30 games a year it is inevitable that you will lose a few away games pretty badly. Take away two bad road losses, one in conference and one out of conference, and you will see that we were in every other game that we lost, and that we won more one or two possession games than we lost. And in my book, we won the first Harvard game. Bottom line: Smith has grown along with the team and is a keeper.
Does anyone know when we can get the schedule for spring football practice? Can we attend (how sad is that when we have to ask?), and when is the spring. Game? They (Administration/Pete) May now change the name so that No alums/fans can attend. I wanted to bring my family to practice this weekend, but it doesn't look good...
No idea how NIT gets selected but I can't imagine why they would bias against a team with 18+ wins. It also helps they are in NYC.
They had a few games they should have won but that just proves they are competitive. If anything, an Ivy is a good opponent.
Big blowout win for the Lions, with the game over shortly into the second half. Rosie for POY.
But the times of the practices are not posted and the Wed update never happened. They screwed up... again.
It was a nice, nice win last night. And versus a team against whom we didn't look quite our best at the Palestra. With the exception of the 2nd Harvard game, the Lions have seemed to improve in second games with Ivy opponents.
One can only hope this "tradition" continues tonight. Meiko Lyles being punched in the face, however, was a disgrace, and Penn could well consider throwing the perpetrator off the team. At least suspending him for its last 2 games and even a few next year. That's two gamess against us where this kid played thug, and one can only wonder about his conduct throughout Penn's (losing!) season.
Princeton tonight. Lets bring our leather lungs and enjoy a true home court advantage! Lets GO LIONS!
Well, the game didn't go as hoped, but no complaints about 19 wins. We were never really in it; shots just weren't falling and the Tigers killed us with 3s and backdoor plays. The final score was a bit kinder to us than it appears.
Next season is going to be very interesting. And it's amazing how spirit and crowds accompany a competitive team.
Did anyone go to or hear about the open practice?
We were cold from the floor and were missing shots we normally make. I think we miss Mullins at the point. Anyway, Princeton's best player is graduating and we get everybody back. Good season.
OldLion- It was a good season, and they clearly exceeded expectations. Coming in 3rd was (is) a tremendous accomplishment! There was a lot on the line last night (20 win season, possible post-season invite, etc.) and yet they could not close (especially on a down Princeton season). Very frustrating that the coaches/kids couldn't get it done last night. The KEY is how they rebound (metaphorically) next year. Either this is a stepping stone, or a once in ever 5-7 year bump in the standings? I hope that they can get a late transfer and/or a more athletic body. We looked a little bit slow off the ball all season. When watching Harvard, and even Yale, you could see that they had better athletes on the floor and most of their game was above the rim. I like the direction that Coach Smith is going, let’s hope he stays and builds on this momentum! Great season guys!
RLB you're wrong. The release just says there was to be live Tweeting during practice on Wednesday from 8 to 10. Even that turned out to be just a handful of pictures. This gang can't shoot straight.
#1 Lion, on one hand I agree that this is the best team we have seen in years and with them all essentially coming back things look good.
On the other hand:
The people at other schools expect to win it all but for us coming in 3rd is a moral victory.
It is pathetic
Response to WOF: I respectfully disagree. Coach Smith and his team expect to compete for the championship next year, and with everybody back don't count us out. Smith is the real deal. I saw a lot of the games this year. He has some really good young players, with at least three more coming in next year, and he knows how to manage a game. What we are celebrating isn't a moral victory, but the turning of a corner.
Response to WOF: I respectfully disagree. Coach Smith and his team expect to compete for the championship next year, and with everybody back don't count us out. Smith is the real deal. I saw a lot of the games this year. He has some really good young players, with at least three more coming in next year, and he knows how to manage a game. What we are celebrating isn't a moral victory, but the turning of a corner.
I agree with #1 Lion and Old Lion!
Go Lions!!
RLB: yes, that Tweet was JUST Tweeted out... two days after the supposedly open practice on 3/8. You gotta love the prompt work they do over there in the football office.
I think it's fairly obvious that last Saturday's practice, was not open despite the promises to the contrary. And it's just as obvious that without us noting it here, there probably never would have been a clarification about this coming Saturday's practice. RLB, your tolerance for screw ups is off the charts. I suggest you give yourself a break and stop trying.
Bottom line is that this group is screwing up on and off the field on a regular, unacceptable basis. I could let it slide like all of us have for 20+ years, but being nice doesn't work. The dept. and its defenders should take note: I'm not letting up.
The first question on the recruiting form should be: "Do you consider yourself an AM or PM football player?"
Oldlion: I am happy for the coach and the team, my point is that we have been conditioned via nealry 100 years of accepting less than mediocrity that a third place season is something to be happy about.
It is true we have to start somewhere but it is sad we are the only team in the league who would consider 3rd place a positive development.
I will not be happy until we win a title in hoops and another title in football...
WOF, your happiness should not be dependent on the Lions' record. But it's important to be grateful for improvement.
I am happy with plenty of other things in life, don't worry.
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