When looking at the overall landscape of college basketball in 2021-22 so far, there are few teams that have impressed more when compared to the remainder of their conference than Princeton Basketball.
One of only three teams in the Ivy League currently above .500 overall, the Tigers sit at 14-3 for the year, as well as a perfect 4-0 in conference play. While Princeton has played a few close conference games early on against the likes of Cornell and Brown, the Tigers you could certainly argue are the clear favorite to run away with the Ivy League in 2021-22.
After no season for Princeton Basketball a year ago, the Tigers have returned in 2021-22 to the tune of their best season in recent years, having already tied their win total from the most recent 2019-20 campaign. While 14-3 certainly sticks out alongside their current nine-game winning streak, how about let’s take a look at what the Tigers resume currently looks like?
As mentioned previously, Princeton currently sits atop the conference at 14-3 (4-0 in Ivy League) and is the highest-ranked Ivy League team in the latest NET rankings at No. 118 (Yale next at No. 142). Holding notable wins over the likes of South Carolina at a neutral-site and at Oregon State, the Tigers have protected their home court at a perfect 11-0, as well as their only losses coming to some notable teams in other conferences such as Minnesota (neutral), and at Monmouth and Hofstra.
One of, if not the top offensive teams in the Ivy League, the Tigers average an impressive 80.8 PPG, and are the No. 62 overall team in the country in offensive efficiency according to KenPom. With four players averaging in double-figures led by guard Jaelin Llewellyn with 15.9 PPG, the Tigers also shoot a combined 49.4% from the field, as well as an impressive 38.2% from three.
A strong team defensively as well only allowing 69.9 PPG, Princeton Basketball appears set as the 2021-22 Ivy League favorite, and to claim the conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. While Princeton will have to go through the conference tournament to do that, the Tigers will likely be the favorite in any conference matchup and are starting to emerge as a potential team you certainly don’t want to see come March.