Photo courtesy of Dave’s Joint.
By David Cordova
For a very long time there has been plenty of talented teams and many great games in the college basketball scene in the Garden State. But one rivalry between two teams has seen its fair share of battles over the years.
No, it’s not the two teams from the two Power 6 conferences. Well, one of them is a part of a high-major conference. The other is a part of a mid-major conference, one that also has a lot of talent in it.
The rivalry being spoken of is none other than Princeton and Rutgers. Two schools that reside at least 30 minutes apart each other. But for the longest time, both have been holding court on the college scene in their state. However, the Tigers have been holding their own against the Scarlet Knights since their first meeting on Feb. 22nd, 1917. In its all-time series, Princeton is 76-46 against their counterparts.
Last year at the Jersey Jam in Trenton, New Jersey, both squads had played each other for the first time since Dec. 11th, 2013, when the Tigers won, 78-73 at the RAC. In the 2023 matchup, the Tigers, made their presence felt again, knocking off the Scarlet Knights, 68-61.
However, if there was a game that was highly-touted and lived up to the hype, it was this year’s game, which took place on Saturday, Dec. 21st.
Over 10,000 spectators showed up to the Prudential Center in Newark to see the ultimate matchup as part of the Never Forget Tribute Classic, a benefit event dedicated to the memories of the victims involved in the World Trade Center tragedy of Sept. 11th, 2001.
Although it was about 30 degrees outside, that didn’t stop spectators from coming out to witness this great matchup.
Throughout the game, the Scarlet Knights looked to be in full control of the game, as they shot about 85% from the free-throw line and was able to get contributions from freshman Dylan Harper and junior Jordan Derkack.
But the Tigers weren’t far behind, as they were making their presence felt behind junior Caden Pierce, the reigning Ivy League Player of the Year, and senior Philip Byriel, as their shots kept them in the game early.
Also, helping out for the Tigers was junior Xaivian Lee, who was the key distributor for his team and made his presence felt later on with his scoring. The frenetic pace of both teams was impeccable, as the score would end up being 46-44, Princeton, at the half.
In the second half, the Scarlet Knights would raise the stakes by taking a five-point lead, 54-49, with 17:49 to go, after a three by senior Jeremiah Williams.
But the Tigers would counter with two free throws and a layup by Lee and a three by sophomore Jackson Hicke to take the lead, 56-55 with 14:10 to go.
The rest of the game would be a see-saw battle up until the finish, as both teams matched basket for basket, and the intensity of the crowd, primarily Scarlet Knights fans, was in the air.
Buoyed by Lee, the Tigers were up as much as six, 81-75 with 2:28 to go in the second half. However, the Scarlet Knights would not go down quietly, with jumpers by freshman Ace Bailey and Williams, which cut the deficit to 81-79, with 54 seconds left.
Then the stage was set for the dramatics. With 17 seconds left, Bailey ran down to the three-point line and hoisted a shot that went in and gave Rutgers the lead, 82-81. However, the feeling would last temporarily as Princeton went to the other end, and Pierce launched a shot with 5.4 seconds to go to give the Tigers and 83-82 lead.
With time running out, Harper went down to the other end to get one final shot off, but he was doubled by two defenders and would shoot an air ball that would be caught by Bailey who threw up a layup that went in. Unfortunately by the time the ball went in, the buzzer had already sounded, signaling that the layup was invalid.
The Tigers would emerge victorious, winners for another year in the rivalry. While many Scarlet Knights fans went home unhappy, the Tigers fans would rejoice as they stole a win from their counterparts from the Big Ten.
This matchup was a case of the mid-major program knocking off the heavy-hitting high-major program. However, the game was a great battle for the state and great for the television ratings of FOX Sports, as the folks nationwide got a taste of what the action is like out in the Garden State, college basketball style.
Dave's JOINT 
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