NEW YORK - After a pair of contests being shelved due to COVID-19 safety protocols, the Columbia men's basketball team will return to action this weekend for a pair of contests at Princeton and Penn this weekend. The Lions (3-9, 0-0) and Tigers (10-8, 0-0) kick things off on Friday, January 7 at 7 p.m. for a contest that can be seen on ESPN+ and NBC Sports Philly. Saturday's matchup with the Quakers (4-10, 1-0), which will be played without fans, is slated for a 6 p.m. tip-off on ESPN+.

Additionally, Columbia has implemented a temporary no-spectator attendance policy for its home athletics events through January 18. For more information, click here.

OPENING TIP-OFF

• Columbia will return to action for the first time in 26 days when it opens Ivy League play at Princeton Friday. The Lions were slated to be on hiatus for 15 days due to final exams and the Christmas holiday, but their final non-conference contest Maryland-Eastern Shore was canceled and originally scheduled conference opener at Yale was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.

• The Lions and Tigers will play their first Ivy League contests in 671 days, dating back to March 7, 2020. Princeton's Ivy League debut against Harvard last weekend was rescheduled due to COVID-19 issues within the Crimson's program.

NEWS/NOTES

PRINCETON'S STATUS
The Tigers are off to their best start since the 2013-14 season and boast one of the best offenses in the country, thanks to superb outside shooting. Princeton averages 11.3 made 3-pointers per game and converts on a .383 clip to rank among the national leaders. Jaelin Llewellyn leads four players averaging in double-figures, posting 15.8 points on .405 shooting from beyond the arc. Ethan Wright is registering 14.6 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds. Point guard Tosan Evbuomwan paces the Ivy League with 5.5 assists per contest.

INSIDE THE SERIES  - PRINCETON
The Tigers lead the all-time series with Columbia, 157-86. The first meeting between the two programs took place in 1901. Princeton has won the last four meetings, including a sweep of the Lions in 2020. Columbia has not won at Jadwin Gym since 2014.

COLUMBIA IN IVY LEAGUE OPENERS
The Lions are 31-33 all-time in Ivy League openers. Under head coach Jim Engles, Columbia is 3-1 in Ancient Eight debuts. The Lions are beginning conference play against an opponent other than Cornell for the first time since 2012. It will be the first time the Tigers and Lions will kick things off since 2007 - a 64-56 home win for Columbia.

PENN'S STATUS
The Quakers ended their 22-day layoff with a 77-73 win over Brown to kick-off Ivy League play last weekend. The victory halted a six-game skid. Jordan Dingle comes into the weekend as the league's top scorer, registering 20.0 points per game.

INSIDE THE SERIES  - PENN
The Lions hold a 92-145 mark against Penn, dating back to 1901-02. The Quakers swept the 2020 series and have taken six of the previous eight meetings.

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
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