Men's Basketball January 2025

[Ken711]

Cornell trailed Harvard at the half 32-20.  Cornell now leads 61-45 with 7:37 left.

[Al DeFlorio]

Cornell trailed Harvard at the half 32-20.  Cornell now leads 61-45 with 7:37 left.

32-30 H at half

[RichH]

NM, I didn't read right

[Ken711]

Cornell trailed Harvard at the half 32-20.  Cornell now leads 61-45 with 7:37 left.

32-30 H at half

Yep typo.  Final Cornell 75 - Harvard 60
Cornell shot 57.1% on 28-49 to Harvard's 41.8% 23-55

[chimpfood]

Good play tonight. We're gonna have to play better than we did on either night this weekend to beat Yale but I think we can do it. I'm already pumped for that game, a lot of people see Yale as the clear cut 1 seed already but I'm not so sold.

[Mr. Niss]

I guess with the way this ILT works, we're hoping for Princeton to fall to the 4 (assuming of course that we don't sweep Yale, which of course we will)?

[chimpfood]

I guess with the way this ILT works, we're hoping for Princeton to fall to the 4 (assuming of course that we don't sweep Yale, which of course we will)?

Yeah we definitely want to avoid Princeton/yale in the first round and but if brown makes it I think that their home court advantage would make them as tough of a matchup as P. Speaking of the tourney, anyone else planning to go this year? I had as much fun as you could (given Cornell's poor performance) at the ILT last year. I'm going to make reservations the second they clinch this one, no ourbus straight from Ithaca makes it a little more annoying to get to though.

[ugarte]

I don't know if I can commit to an overnight stay or a 3.5 hour drive each way but if we make the final it's going to be awfully tempting. If we make the final and it's against anyone but Yale I don't know how I'll stop myself.

[rss77]

Cornell defense is nothing to write home about but like the energy the freshman Anthony Nimani is bringing on defense. Looking forward to the matchhup this Saturday. Go Red!

[Mr. Niss]

Cornell defense is nothing to write home about but like the energy the freshman Anthony Nimani is bringing on defense. Looking forward to the matchhup this Saturday. Go Red!

I think their defense is much improved from the last couple of years.  They don't give up nearly as many uncontested/easy shots, primarily because they don't press as much in an attempt to ratchet up the pace.  The funny thing about a big comeback win at home against Yale a few years ago was that they made up something like a 17-point deficit in the last half of the second half because they *stopped* pressing, if I recall correctly.

[chimpfood]

Massive game coming on Saturday vs Yale. One thing I would like to see is Ragland pulling some more minutes. He has been get short shifted for a while now and kiachan and Cain are honestly dreadful to watch out there, producing little on offense and rarely having the physicality to guard the opposing big man on defense. Ragland is really solid in comparison and I want to see as many minutes as possible from him.

[ugarte]

Massive game coming on Saturday vs Yale. One thing I would like to see is Ragland pulling some more minutes. He has been get short shifted for a while now and kiachan and Cain are honestly dreadful to watch out there, producing little on offense and rarely having the physicality to guard the opposing big man on defense. Ragland is really solid in comparison and I want to see as many minutes as possible from him.

I'm not as down on Kiachian as you - nice little hook shot, very good rebounder and his length is useful even though he is not a banger. Imo the main reason Ragland sees fewer minutes than he might in another system is pace of play. The rotation is so deep to keep everyone fresh and we still sometimes have trouble in the closing minutes.  Ragland has also hit the bench after early fouls in a few games.

That said, give him the minutes if he can handle them. We were maybe too hard on him in the past but it feels like he's a leader out there now. We are really going to miss our seniors so I'm enjoying it while they're here.

[rss77]

I also like the change of pace Cain and Kiachian bring.  This year's Yale edition like so many of Jones's teams in the past are extremely physical and they like knocking people around especially Townson and Molloy.  If you collapse on them that leaves Poulakidas open outside.  They have not suffered that much losing Wolf to Michigan and IMO Aletan is coming along nicely at the Center position.  The Red have to hit a high % of three pointers IMO.

[scoop85]

I think Kiachian and to a lesser extent Cain have done fine out there to spell Ragland. Our quality depth is one of our strengths. But no doubt Ragland has improved significantly over his career and he'll need to come up big tomorrow.

[mountainred]

Cain is the 11th man in Cornell's 10 man rotation.  Most games Chris gets 3-4 quiet minutes at the end of the first half, or for a possession before a media timeout, to keep Ragland from picking up an extra foul; he's fine in that role.  Kiachian has been a pleasant surprise this year considering his prior Cornell career, and he has helped immensely as a rebounder.  Sure, Ragland is a better player, but Ryan's a useful option off the bench.

Ragland is actually seeing career highs in minutes, about 10% more time on the court than under Earl.  Of course, it is his first year as a starter and Jon rides his starters more heavily than Brian did. His issue is that he can get in foul trouble.  Not like Chris Manon, but enough that Jon has to regulate the minutes so that he has Guy available at the end.

Yale is physical and as a result they are elite on the glass while Cornell, well, isn't.  For the Big Red to win, they can't afford to have one of those games with they are giving up double digit offensive rebounds.  Keep Yale honest on the boards, and this one is highly winnable.