NEW YORK - The Columbia men's basketball team will wrap up its regular season series with Penn and Princeton this weekend on the road at the Palestra and Jadwin Gymnasium. Both contests are slated for 8 p.m. starts after the conclusion of the Lions' women's games. Prior to the game against the Quakers, the Columbia Alumni Association will host a pre-game reception at the Palestra. For more information or to RSVP, click here.
 

OPENING TIP-OFF

• Columbia begins a four-game road swing at Penn and Princeton this weekend.

• The Lions dropped a pair of heartbreakers, 70-64, to first-place Yale Friday, before dropping a 65-63 decision to Brown Saturday night.

• Six of Columbia's eight Ivy League contests have been decided by six or fewer points. Five of them have been within a three-point margin.

• The Lions will hit the road one final time next weekend, traveling to Brown (Mar. 1) and Yale (Mar. 2).

 

NEWS/NOTES

PENN'S STATUS
The Quakers went to overtime twice last weekend, topping Dartmouth, 82-79, before falling to Harvard, 75-68. AJ Brodeur is leading the team in five major categories, averaging 17.0 points, on 52.8 percent shooting, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 blocks. 

INSIDE THE PENN SERIES
Columbia is 91-143 all-time against Penn. The Quakers have won three-straight after edging the Lions, 72-70, on February 2. Three of the last four meetings have been decided by six or fewer points withe Penn going 3-1 in those contests.

PRINCETON'S STATUS
The Tigers snuck by Dartmouth, 69-68, Saturday night to gain a weekend split after falling to Harvard, 78-69, Friday. Princeton is just 1-3 since the return of leading scorer Devin Cannady from suspension. Cannady is posting 18.2 points and 5.8 boards per contest. Myles Stephens checks in averaging 13.5 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds.

INSIDE THE PRINCETON SERIES
The Lions are 86-154 against the Tigers all-time. Princeton earned a 55-43 triumph on Morningside Heights on Feb. 1. The Tigers have won eight of the last nine meetings in the series. Columbia will be in search of its first win at Jadwin Gym since a 53-52 victory on Feb. 7, 2014.

LUCK NOT ON THE LIONS' SIDE
More than half of Columbia's losses during the past two seasons have been between one and six points. The Lions are just 4-20 overall in games decided within that margin. Analytically, Columbia is ranked 348th out of 353 NCAA Division programs in the category by KenPom (-.136) and 352nd by TeamRankings.com (-3.9). Last season, the Lions were at -.146 according to KenPom and TeamRankings.com had them at 4.5, both last in the NCAA. 

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.