NEW YORK - The Columbia men's basketball team jumps into conference play this Saturday when they take on Cornell in Ithaca, New York at 1:30 p.m. The game was originally scheduled for a 4 p.m. tip, but was moved up due to an impending winter storm hitting the Northeast.
   

OPENING TIP-OFF

• Columbia will begin Ivy League play against Cornell for the 11th time in a span of 13 years.

• The Lions earned their second straight win after dispatching Elmira College, 102-63, last Saturday at Levien Gym.

• Columbia ranks No. 8 in the NCAA, dishing out 18.8 assists per game. They also lead the Ivy League in assist/turnover ratio (1.4) and Gabe Stefanini is second in the conference with 4.1 APG individually.

• The Lions and Big Red will run it back next Saturday, January 26 at 7 p.m. in Levien Gym to wrap up the regular season series.

 

NEWS/NOTES

CORNELL'S STATUS
The Big Red come in winners of three of their last four with the lone loss coming at Wake Forest. Matt Morgan is one of the most prolific scorers in the country, averaging 23.6 points (12th in the NCAA). Steven Julian is the team's top rebounder (6.6 RPG) and shot blocker (1.5 BPG). Defensively, Cornell has guarded the 3-point line well, holding opponents to 30.3 percent shooting from downtown.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Columbia holds a 129-101 edge in the all-time series with Cornell. Last year, the teams each held serve at home. It was the sixth time in the past eight seasons the Lions and Big Red have drawn a season split.

COLUMBIA IN IVY LEAGUE OPENERS
The Lions are 30-32 all-time in Ivy League openers. Columbia is 13-22 all-time when beginning Ancient Eight play on the road, but have won the last four Ivy League debuts when playing in Ithaca, going back to 2011.

EXORCISING THE DEMONS
Columbia's win at Binghamton snapped an 18-game road losing streak that dated back to last season. The Lions previous road win was an 87-77 triumph at Longwood on Nov. 14, 2017.

SHARING IS CARING
Columbia ranks second in the Ivy League in assists (Yale - 19.2), averaging 18.8 per contest for the year, which also puts them eighth in the NCAA.

KLEPTOMANIACS
Defensively, the Lions have had active hands and lead the Ivy League averaging 8.4 steals per contest and 30th nationally.

FROM DOWNTOWN
The Lions are second in the Ivy League in 3-point field goal percentage (.380) and 3-pointers made per game (9.9). Columbia knocked down a team record 17 3-pointers in its win over St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) on Nov. 25. Columbia has taken advantage of the friendly confines of Levien Gym during its four-game home stand, knocking down 68-of-156 (43.5 percent) from beyond the arc.

COACHES VS. CANCER 3-POINT CHALLENGE
Columbia is participating in the 3-Point Challenge for the third consecutive year. With this initiative by the American Cancer Society and the NABC, fans can pledge a dollar amount for every 3-pointer Columbia makes during the month of February or make a one-time donation. All funds will benefit the American Cancer Society. To donate to Columbia's page, click here.

INSIDE COLUMBIA BASKETBALL PODCAST
Columbia Athletics debuted a brand new podcast featuring the men's and women's basketball programs. New episodes are available weekly on iTunes and SoundCloud.

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.  

IVY MADNESS
The third annual Ivy League Basketball Tournaments will be held on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut on March 16-17. Tickets will be available to select groups beginning Tuesday, December 11 at 10 a.m. Full information is available at IvyMadness.com.