Blogs > The Full-Court Press

Welcome back to the Trentonian's Full-Court Press blog. Yes, we're still alive, and with the 2015-16 season rapidly approaching, it's time to fire up the old blog for another season. Check back here throughout the year for updates on all things Rider and Princeton, including coverage of both the MAAC and Ivy League. Feel free to drop me a line on twitter @kj_franko (https://twitter.com/kj_franko) or email kfranko@trentonian.com.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Princeton Gameday: at Brown; at Yale

Amir Bell had a big game against Penn. Princeton at Brown and Yale this weekend. (Jackie Schear Photo)

Who: Princeton (11-4, 1-0) at Brown (5-11, 0-2); at Yale (11-5, 2-0)

When: Friday, 6 p.m., Pizzitola Sports Complex, Providence, R.I.; Saturday, 7 p.m., Lee Amphitheater, New Haven, Conn.

TV/Radio: American Sports Network/ WPRB 103.3 FM; ESPN3/ WPRB 103.3 FM

Last Time Out: Princeton def. Bryn Athyn, 100-44; Brown lost to Yale, 90-66; Yale def. Brown, 90-66.

Series History: Princeton has dominated the series with Brown, winning 101 of the 128 meetings. Things are much closer against Yale as the Tigers hold a 145-87 edge. 
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Rider Gameday: at Saint Peter's


Who: Rider (7-13, 3-6) at Saint Peter’s (8-9, 6-2)

When: Thursday, 8 p.m., Yanitelli Center, Jersey City

TV/Radio: ESPN3/ 107.7 FM The Bronc

Last Time Out: Rider def. Quinnipiac, 75-52; Saint Peter’s lost to Iona, 64-58.

Series History: Rider is 32-17 all-time against its in-state rival, although SPU won the first meeting this season, 71-63, at Alumni Gym. The Broncs have still come out on top in eight of the last 11 meetings.
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Sunday, January 24, 2016

Rider Gameday: vs. Quinnipiac


Who: Quinnipiac (5-11, 2-5) at Rider (6-13, 2-6)

When: Sunday, 4 p.m., Alumni Gymnasium

Radio: 107.7 FM The Bronc

Last Time Out: Rider lost to Siena, 63-52; Quinnipiac lost to Canisius, 63-53

Series History: Rider leads the all-time series, 5-2, although the Bobcats held on for a 64-60 victory in the first meeting this season.
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Thursday, January 21, 2016

Rider Gameday: at Siena


Who: Rider (6-12, 2-5) at Siena (11-7, 4-3)

When: Thursday, 7 p.m., Times Union Center, Albany, New York

Radio: 107.7 FM The Bronc

Last Time Out: Rider def. Iona, 79-75; Siena lost to Monmouth, 85-69

Series History: Siena has controlled the series, winning 27 of the 41 all-time meetings. Rider has only swept the season series once, in 2012-13.
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Monday, January 18, 2016

Rider's Teddy Okereafor named MAAC Player of the Week

Rider guard Teddy Okereafor has been named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Week.

Okereafor averaged 30.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists in a pair of Broncs victories.

He scored a career-high 38 points in a 102-100 double overtime victory against Marist. He also set the MAAC record for free throws made (25) and attempted (30) in single game.
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Saturday, January 16, 2016

Zedric Sadler's return to from just what Rider needs

Zedric Sadler had his best game of the season in the win over Marist. (Jackie Schear Photo)

The Zedric Sadler Rider basketball fans expected to see returned just in time to spark the Broncs to their first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference victory.

Here’s hoping that Sadler sticks around instead of the one who struggled to find the form which earned him the league’s Sixth Man of the Year last season.

“It’s been frustrating at times,” Sadler said Thursday night following a wild 102-100 win over Marist. “I just want to keep battling because it’s my senior year and I feel like I deserve to give this team my all. Whether I’m scoring, playing defense, I just want to be out there on the court.”
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Iona's Jordan Washington suspended 2 games for role in scuffle following loss to Monmouth

 Iona's Jordan Washington has been suspended two games for his role in the postgame incident following the Gaels' loss to Monmouth on Friday night.

The school announced the suspension on Saturday. Washington will miss Sunday's game at Rider and next Friday's contest vs. Saint Peter's.

Washington can be seen slapping Monmouth's Chris Brady as the two teams go through the handshake line after the Hawks' 110-102 victory in New Rochelle.

"We hold our student-athletes to a higher standard than was displayed last night," Iona head coach Tim Cluess said in a statement. "We should know and will use better judgement in the future, regardless of provocation."

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Thursday, January 14, 2016

Rider Gameday: vs. Marist


Who: Marist (4-10, 1-4) at Rider (4-12, 0-5)

When: Thursday, 8 p.m., Alumni Gymnasium

TV/ Radio: ESPN3/ 107 .7 FM The Bronc

Last Time Out: Rider lost to Fairfield, 69-64; Marist lost to Iona, 90-80

Series History: The schools have met 52 times since the series began in 1980-81 with Rider winning 29. The Broncs have dominated the Red Foxes of late, taking 14 of the last 16, including a season sweep last year.
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Rider freshman forward Lacey James leaves team

Lacey James has left the team, Rider announced Thursday. (John Blaine Photo)

Rider's shorthanded roster shrunk a little bit more.

Freshman Lacey James has left the program, effective immediately, to pursue other college opportunities, head coach Kevin Baggett announced on Thursday.
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Saturday, January 9, 2016

Rider Gameday: at Fairfield


Who: Fairfield (7-7, 1-3) at Rider (4-11, 0-4)

When: Saturday, 7 p.m., Alumni Gymnasium

Radio: 107.7 FM The Bronc

Last Time Out: Rider lost to Iona, 67-58; Fairfield lost to Siena, 91-76

Series History: Fairfield leads, 31-27, snapping a four-game losing streak with a 74-70 victory in the first meeting this season between the schools.
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Princeton Gameday: at Penn


Who: Princeton (9-4, 0-0) at Penn (6-7, 0-0)

When: Saturday, 4:30 p.m., The Palestra, Philadelphia

TV/ Radio: FS1/ WPRB 103.3 FM

Last Time Out: Princeton def. Norfolk State, 83-74; Penn def. Binghamton, 80-45

Series History: The archrivals meet once against to open the Ivy slate on Saturday. Penn leads the all-time series, 124-108, but Princeton has won six of eight since Mitch Henderson took charge of the Tigers. Henderson’s .750 winning percentage is the best of any Princeton coach since the legendary Butch van Breda Kolff went 8-2 in his five seasons from 1962-67.
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Thursday, January 7, 2016

Iona's home advantage tough to crack for MAAC opponents

Iona should probably just go ahead and hang a banner outside its home arena that reads ‘Welcome to Fortress Hynes.’

The Gaels have been so dominant inside the Hynes Athletic Center, visiting teams rarely win in New Rochelle.

Just how good?

Consider this: Iona has won 24 straight games at home and 40 of the last 43. Canisius was the last MAAC school to win there during the 2013-14 season. The Gaels are 43-4 at home vs. the MAAC under sixth-year coach Tim Cluess.
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Sunday, January 3, 2016

Rider's Khalil Alford ready to make an impact in MAAC play

Khalil Alford had 15 points in a 32-minute run off the bench against Hartford. (John Blaine Photo)

Lawrenceville >> Rider coach Kevin Baggett looked down his bench, one that was shorthanded due to injuries and illness, and knew he had to put Khalil Alford in the game.

Alford delivered a career-best 15 points in 32 minutes, helping the Broncs beat Hartford in double-overtime for their third victory in the last four games.

With Kenny Grant now out for the season, Alford is likely going to see more minutes than he has at any point in his career.
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Princeton Gameday: at Hampton; at Norfolk State


Who: Princeton (7-4) at Hampton (5-6) and Norfolk State (5-10).

When: Sunday, 3 p.m., Convocation Center, Hampton Virginia; Tuesday, 7 p.m., Echols Hall, Norfolk, Virginia.

Last Time Out: Princeton lost to No. 13 Miami (Fla.), 76-64; Hampton def. Louisiana-Monroe, 75-64.

Series History: Princeton and Hampton are meeting for the first time ever, while the Tigers beat Norfolk State last season in their only previous game. The contest at Hampton Sunday afternoon is the second of a four-game road trip and first of a two-stop tour of the MEAC. Princeton is 5-0 all-time vs. the MEAC.
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