Can Monmouth hang with Princeton?: 3 keys for Hawks as Central Jersey hoops showdown looms

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Monmouth’s had its share of disappointing losses over the years. But few delivered the wallop of last Wednesday’s 90-63 drubbing at Lehigh, after a win at Seton Hall provided hope following an 0-8 start.

Now comes the annual Central Jersey clash with one of the country’s toughest mid-majors, facing Princeton at Jadwin Gym tonight (7 p.m.; ESPN+).

Princeton (7-4) comes in off a six-point loss at 9-1 Furman, with the Paladins’ lone blemish coming at No. 1 Kansas.

It’s the latest stop during what is rated the 77th toughest non-conference schedule in the country by KenPom, the basketball analytics website, and the second toughest among CAA teams, behind only Stony Brook, with guaranteed money games helping finance the program this season according to head coach King Rice.

It’s the Hawks’ 11th straight game away from home to start the season, with the opener at OceanFirst Bank Center on Dec. 21 against Fairfield, looming as their best chance to get another win in non-conference play, which ends at No. 2 Auburn on Dec. 30.

Monmouth’s Cornelius Robinson III works against Princeton’s Caden Pierce on Nov. 18, 2023 in West Long Branch, N.J.

Here are three keys for Monmouth against Princeton:

1. Increased intensity on defense

Monmouth, like everyone, has a matchup problem with junior guard Xaivian Lee, averaging 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists. He recently had the program’s first triple-double in a 77-69 win at St. Joseph’s. with 18 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists.

Except Monmouth comes in ranked near the bottom in defense nationally, giving up 78.7 points-per-game, with opposing teams shooting 48.4 percent. Rice was clearly frustrated with the lack of defense after the Lehigh game, and he’s had six days to try and stabilize the situation.

Princeton is shooting a torrid 38.8 percent from deep, making 10.9 triples on average. And the Tigers are averaging 76.9 points, so it’s more than just Lee. Junior forward Caden Pierce, who had a double-double (20 points,…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/monmouth-hang-princeton-3-keys-110027617.html

Author : App.com | Asbury Park Press

Publish date : 2024-12-10 11:00:00

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