|
Web
Exclusives: The Varsity Typewriter December
5, 2001: By Patrick Sullivan '02 I'm feeling it already — basketball fever is in the air. Princeton and round-ball
are synonymous for many. For me, the thrill of a close-played college
basketball game epitomizes the excitement of amateur athletics. Tradition-steeped basketball defines the men's team at Princeton. I was a high school junior when I watched the NCAA tournament in March 1996, when the upstart Tigers handed the fourth seed, defending national champion UCLA Bruins a stunning blow, defeating them with seconds to play, 43-41. Viewing the game on television proved slow at first — the methodical, old-school Tiger offense has been likened to watching paint dry — but as the contest progressed, I found myself riveted to the action, and obviously, cheering for the underdog Tigers. (Little did I know that in two years, I'd be courtside for all the (in)action.) That 1996 tournament
game unfolded in true Princeton style. The Tiger defense shut down
UCLA over the last six minutes of the game, effectively stifling
the storied Bruins. With seconds left, Steve Goodrich '98's back-door
bounce pass found streaking freshman Gabe Lewullis for the textbook
layup. The game, which according
to a November 5 ESPN Classics poll ranks as the third best college
basketball upset on the books, spoke to the character and heart
of that particular Tiger team. And though things have changed a
lot since — legendary coach Pete Carril retired, all-star center
Chris Young signed a professional baseball contract, sophomore shooting
guard Spencer Gloger changed his mind, and changed it back, about
which school he wants to play for, and coach Bill Carmody transferred
to Northwestern — the spirit of Princeton basketball remains
the same. These guys are a classy team. Many talented sports
teams at Princeton consistently compete well on the national level,
including men's lacrosse, both crew teams, fencing, squash, men's
track/cross-country, and field hockey. The basketball team, however,
has remained truest to its game style, routinely frustrating better-ranked
and more talented teams with its slow-down, carefully executed play.
Princeton plays to its strengths. Maybe we can't recruit the fastest,
tallest, most explosive talent, but Tiger basketball is smart basketball. Before I came to Princeton,
the exciting breakaway dunk or the turn-around, fade-away jumper
reigned in my opinion as the best plays to watch. Four years later,
I find it just as exciting to watch a patient motion offense pass
the ball crisply around the three-point arc, looking for the open
long-range jumper or the guard cutting to the basket. Better yet,
I like watching a backdoor pass from the high post, finished by
a simple, two-handed layup. Classy? How else does
one describe a team that for years never dunked the basketball,
even when the opportunity presented itself, instead choosing the
less showy, but equally effective, layup? And while the raucous
atmosphere in Jadwin Gymnasium certainly pales in comparison to
places like Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium, Princeton basketball
fans certainly voice their appreciation. The student cheers can
be downright mean — "sit down, you suck" — comes
to mind, a goading chant directed to the opposing bench whenever
a player is removed from the game. My personal favorite is the "Safety
School" chorus, often directed at hated Penn. At the same time,
Princeton fans, whether alums or students, show some respect in
their obnoxious support. The same may not be said of the visiting
Penn fans, who during the national anthem in Jadwin at the final
home game of the 99-00 season, chanted "---___hole" at
Coach Carmody. Why, one asks, do I applaud
the basketball team for a game played nearly five years ago? Because
this year, the Tigers have fared equally well against some of the
strongest teams in the nation. Though the "W" column doesn't
tell the tale — the team's record is 1-4 as of press time —
Princeton faced No. 9 St. Joseph's and most recently, No. 4 Maryland,
and played true, traditional Tiger basketball. Both games ended
in defeat, but the team successfully frustrated two of the best
programs in the country, holding each below its typical scoring
average, and in both instances, creating at least temporary panic. Against St. Joe's, a
Sweet 16 tournament team last year, Princeton played to a deadlock
31-31 halftime score. After another tie at 42, the Hawks pieced
together a 9-0 run, and the Tigers lost 74-63. Against No. 4 Maryland
December 2, the Tigers led by 15 early in the second half until
the Terrapins capitalized on 16 offensive rebounds, tallying 21
second-chance points. With one minute to play, the Tigers were down
55-53, but a costly turnover sealed their fate. Both tough losses speak to the continuing excellence and adaptability of Princeton basketball. Even when physically outmatched, the Tigers play with their wits, slowing the tempo and forcing opponents to alter their run-and-gun offensive tactics. Last season, the team overcame bigger adversity, and under the tutelage of freshman coach John Thompson '88, made it to the tournament despite a thin lineup and some wrenching Ivy League losses. Coach Thompson worked wonders. (Just don't leave too soon, huh?)
You can reach Patrick at pas@princeton.edu.
|
