The big boys come to town for the weekend

Looking forward to an Ivy League doubleheader that could put it into the record books, the men's basketball team is working on its mental game.

After disappointing losses to Brown on Fri., Jan. 28, and Albany on Mon., Jan. 31, the Bulldogs need to pick up the intensity, get their heads back into the game, and focus on defense in order to beat Pennsylvania on Fri., Feb. 4, and Princeton on Sat., Feb. 5. The Quakers and Tigers are the only teams ahead of Yale in the Ivy standings, each at 2-0, compared to Yale at 3-1. Two wins would give Yale the lead in the Ivies—and they are talking about nothing but victory.

M. Basketball

Record: 5-12, 3-1 Ivy Recent Results: Lost at Albany, 69-77, OT. Coming Up: Fri., Feb. 4 vs. Penn, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 5 vs. Princeton, 7 p.m.

"Lack confidence?" Head Coach James Jones asked. "Why should we lack confidence? We have 3,000 fans cheering their hearts out for us. We have home-court advantage. Why should we have a lack of confidence?"

The Bulldogs hope home-court advantage will be a deciding factor. The team is looking forward to extra spirit from their fans, and the coaches are hoping that their motivation will hike up the intensity, especially on defense. "One of our strengths has always been the defense—it's been a stable force. But it's abandoned us in the past few games. Inconsistency is our biggest problem. We had a good stretch two weeks ago, but it's been tough on the road. The inconsistency is not in the effort—it's in the defense. We haven't played smart." Jones said.

Last week's Brown game was a harsh disappointment to the team. After a lethargic first half, Yale picked up the pace but couldn't catch up to the Bears. "They jumped right on us from the beginning," Captain John Kirkowski, MC '00, said. "We showed poise in the second half, but we couldn't come home." Brown kept close watch on Onaje Woodbine, BK '02, one of Yale's leading scorers (16 ppg), double-teaming and denying him the ball.

"Brown came out physical," Woodbine said. "They knew all our plays. It came down to who gave the most effort. We didn't. They rotated the ball between four or five guys and tried to wear me down physically. They didn't let me have any touches or open looks."

"We can't walk onto a court thinking that just because we're 3-0, we're going to win," Jones said about the loss to Brown. "We have to realize that when we're 3-0, walking into someone else's gym, they're going to be gunning for you. "We have to walk in like champions and earn our victory."

Jones and assistant coaches Curtis Wilson and Rob Senderoff have been looking to the experienced players to maintain focus during this weekend's grueling match-ups. Although key players Isaiah Cavaco, JE '01, and Mark Bratton, TD '01, are still injured, the team is moving forward, with freshman Chris Leanza, SY `03, stepping up.

"There have been times in practice when we've had only eight healthy guys," Kirkowski said. "Of course that wears us down. Isaiah and Mark are a presence on the team—both in strength and size. They're definitely crucial to our success. But Chris has stepped up and taken up the leadership on defense."

"These guys have been ready since Wednesday," Assistant Coach Curtis Wilson said. "They're ready mentally and physically. They know that we'll have a huge crowd to pump them up and that we want this game."

To beat Penn and Princeton, Yale will need more than the home-court advantage—those two teams have combined to win every Ivy title since 1988. Princeton is a smart, aggressive team, known for back-door cuts and picks. "We can't fall asleep against these guys," Kirkowski said. "We have to be on top of the game for every second." The Quakers have a three-game winning streak and a commanding 126-63 lead in the all-time series. Penn sensations Michael Jordan '00 and Ugonna Onyekwe '03 will provide a stiff challenge to Yale's defense. "We're not going to focus on Michael Jordan or any one player," Jones said. "Both teams are athletic and well rounded. If we focus on Jordan, then others will jump up and score. We need to have intensity and smart defense."

Intensity, motivation, defense—all catchwords for the Bulldogs. Put them together and will they find a victory this weekend? "We always expect to win. Has anyone ever gone out expecting to lose and come back with a victory? The support from fans will be crucial. Defense will be crucial. But we can do it." Jones said. "That's what it comes down to." Wilson stated. "My expectations? Win. Nothing but winning."

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