NEW YORK - The Columbia men's basketball team will begin a four-game home stand when they host St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) this Sunday at 2 p.m. in Levien Gymnasium.
OPENING TIP-OFF
• Columbia will make its home debut when they host St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) Sunday. The Lions are 83-34 all-time in home openers and has won seven of its last 10 openers in Levien Gymnasium.
• The Lions went 0-3 at last weekend's Johnny Bach Classic, hosted by Fordham.
• Columbia received a pair of 30-point performances at the tournament from Mike Smith and Gabe Stefanini. Smith went off for 31 points against Youngstown State Friday and Stefanini dropped 33 points on Saturday vs. FIU.
NEWS/NOTES
ST. JOSEPH'S (BROOKLYN'S) STATUS
The Bears fell to Farmingdale State, 102-89, Tuesday in their Skyline opener. St. Joseph's has surrendered 100 points in two of its three games, and 99 in the other. Four players are averaging in double-figures, led by forward Stephane Etheart's 17.0 points per game. Kavan Meiner is nearly posting a double-double at 14.7 PPG and 9.3 RPG.
INSIDE THE SERIES
Sunday will be the first-ever meeting between the schools.
IF I COULD BE LIKE MIKE
After another summer of training with NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler, point guard Mike Smith is having a strong start to his junior campaign.
• He ranks second in the Ivy League in scoring (19.0 PPG) and leads the Ancient Eight in assists (5.0) and minutes per game (34.5).
• The 2018 All-Ivy Leaguer dropped a career-high 31 points against Youngstown State on Nov. 17 and tied a career-high with eight assists in the season opener at Marist on Nov. 10.
• Smith now has 919 career points, which puts him on pace to become the 29th Columbia player to reach 1,000 points.
MEN IN THE MIDDLE
Columbia is receiving solid production from all three players that have played the "five spot" this season.
• Ike Nweke was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week after posting 17 points and seven boards at Marist in his collegiate debut. He is averaging 9.5 points, on 54.2 percent shooting from the floor, and 5.3 rebounds.
• Patrick Tapé leads the Ivy League in field goal percentage, converting on 76.9 percent of his attempts, and is posting 9.0 points and 4.3 rebounds in just 12.3 minutes per contest.
• After seeing limited action in 2017-18, Randy Brumant is taking advantage of a bigger role. The Houston, Texas, native boasts averages of 5.3 points and 5.3 rebounds to go with a 52.6 percent clip from the field.
THE IVY LEAGUE ON ESPN+
All home Columbia games and most Ivy League road contests will air on ESPN+ as part of The Ivy League's new partnership with ESPN. ESPN+ is a new, subscription-based service that offers monthly ($4.99) and yearly ($49.99) plans. Click here to subscribe to ESPN+ and start your free trial! Click here for frequently asked questions about the Ivy League on ESPN.
