NEW YORK - The Columbia men's basketball team begins Ivy League play this Saturday, January 18, at 7 p.m. against Cornell in Levien Gymnasium. The game is the second of a doubleheader with the women's program, who also face the Big Red, and will be preceded by a Community Day Festival in the Blue Gym of the Dodge Fitness Center for ticket holders of either contest.

 

OPENING TIP-OFF

• Columbia will begin Ivy League play against Cornell for the 12th time in a span of 14 years.

• The Lions are coming off an 86-56 triumph over Mount Saint Vincent on Jan. 9. Jack Forrest led four players in double-figures with a career-high 20 points.

• Mike Smith ranks No. 12 in the NCAA, averaging 21.4 points per game, and has led the Lions in scoring in 13 of 15 games this season.

• The Lions and Big Red will run it back next Saturday, January 25 at 4 p.m. in Ithaca.

NEWS/NOTES

CORNELL'S STATUS
The Big Red have picked up two straight wins over Division III opponents and have been plagued by some of the same issues as the Lions, dropping five games by four or fewer points. Cornell's leading scorer Jimmy Boeheim (19.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG) has missed the last two games due to injury. Terrance McBride is the team's second leading scorer, checking in at 10.0 points per game.

INSIDE THE SERIES
Columbia holds a 130-102 edge in the all-time series with Cornell. Last year, the teams each held serve at home. It was the seventh time in the past nine seasons the Lions and Big Red have drawn a season split.

COLUMBIA IN IVY LEAGUE OPENERS
The Lions are 30-33 all-time in Ivy League openers. Columbia is 34-26 in its home conference debuts and 18-10 when starting the Ancient Eight slate in Levien Gymnasium.

IF I COULD BE LIKE MIKE
Senior Mike Smith is doing it all for Columbia this season. In addition to his scoring prowess, he leads the Ancient Eight in free throw percentage (.811) and is second in assists, dishing out 4.6 per game. Additionally, Smith is logging 36:28 of action per game (No. 28 in NCAA) and is No. 29 in the NCAA in total points with 342.

INSIDE COLUMBIA BASKETBALL PODCAST
Columbia hosts a weekly podcast featuring the men's and women's basketball programs. New episodes are available weekly on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher and SoundCloud. Search and subscribe for "Columbia Athletics."

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.

FOLLOW COLUMBIA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia men's basketball, follow @CULionsMBB on Twitter and Instagram, and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.