NEW YORK — Columbia men's basketball carries its hot start to the 2024-25 season into the home opener on Saturday against Delaware State at 2 p.m. The Lions then welcome Lehigh on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Both games will air live from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium on ESPN+.

Saturday's matchup between the Lions and Hornets can be followed via live stats or watched live on ESPN+. Tuesday's matchup against Lehigh can also be followed via live stats or watched live on ESPN+.

Lance Medow (play-by-play) and John Giannini (color) will have the call for both games. Click here or call 888-LIONS-11 to purchase tickets.

Opening Tip-Off

Columbia started off the 2024-25 season with a thrilling 81-78 comeback victory at Loyola Maryland at Reitz Arena on Monday and a 90-80 upset at Villanova at Finneran Pavilion on Wednesday.

The Lions return more than 78 percent of their scoring for the second straight season. Columbia also brings back at least 79 percent of its rebounds, assists, and steals from 2023-24. 

The Lions return 12 student-athletes from last season and welcome six newcomers in 2024-25.

News/Notes

Last Time Out

Columbia pulled away with a 90-80 upset win at Villanova at Finneran Pavilion on Wednesday night. Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa dropped 22 points and Avery Brown contributed 18. Kenny Noland (14 points) and Noah Robledo (12 points) rounded out Columbia's double-figure scorers. Columbia was an astounding 24-26 from the free throw line. 

The Lions led for 21:39 and held on through 19 lead changes and five ties throughout the game. Columbia dominated the Wildcats in points from turnovers (21-9) and fastbreak points (27-9).

Postgame Notes From Win At Villanova

- Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa posted his sixth straight double-figure scoring game dating back to last season and his 12th career 20-point game on Wednesday
- Columbia is 2-0 for the first time since 2012
- Columbia is 2-0 with both wins coming over Division I opponents for the first time since 2005
- The Lions earned their first win over a Big East opponent since Nov. 20, 2012 (75-57 at Villanova)
- Wednesday's win was head coach Jim Engles' first over a Big East opponent since Dec. 20, 2015 (NJIT defeated St. John's, 83-74)

Inside the Analytics

Columbia's KenPom rating as of Nov. 7 is 158. The last time the Lions had a rating this high was 154 on Nov. 23, 2019. Columbia jumped 59 spots after the Villanova win.

Rubio De La Rosa Dominance

Senior guard Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa is off to a scorching start this season, averaging 23 points over the first two wins in 2024-25. He is shooting 50 percent from the floor and is 17-18 from the free throw line.

Rubio De La Rosa was named to the inaugural Bracketeer.Org Non-Power Conference All-American Watch List on Oct. 31. The Santiago, Dominican Republic native played a strong all-around game over 25 appearances (24 starts) in 2023-24 and was tabbed All-Ivy League Honorable Mention. He averaged a team-best in points per game (14.4) for the second straight season and led Columbia in minutes per game (30.8), field goals made (116), three-pointers made (57), and steals (41). Rubio De La Rosa ranked in the top ten among Ivy League players in scoring, three-point field goal percentage, three-point field goals per game, and steals. The guard notched double-figures in 20 games and carries a four-game double-figure scoring streak into the 2024-25 season.

In February, Rubio De La Rosa became the 30th Lion in program history to score 1,000 points and the 16th to do so in his first three seasons. Heading into his senior campaign, Rubio De La Rosa is 21st on Columbia's all-time scoring list.

Juniors Stepping Up

Columbia's junior quartet of Avery Brown, Kenny Noland, Blair Thompson, and Zine Eddine Bedri look to take the next step in their game. All have seen significant action as first-years and sophomores and will play an even bigger role this season. The group accounted for 41 percent of the team's scoring last year.

Brown's 30.3 minutes per game last season ranked 14th in the Ivy League. The Beacon Falls, Connecticut native's 34 steals a season ago ranked ninth in the conference.

Thompson scored double-figures in 12 games last season and led the team and ranked ninth in the Ivy League with 140 rebounds and 5.4 per game. He also blocked 15 shots.

Record Book Watch

Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa is fifth all-time in program history in three-pointers made (180) and second in three-pointers attempted (492). Rubio De La Rosa's .837 free throw percentage ranks third all-time in program history. He trails Brian Barbour (.897) and Chet Forte (.841).

The Schedule

The Lions have a 27-game slate set for 2024-25 that features 15 home games from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium. Columbia will face six opponents that appeared in a postseason tournament last year (Yale, Villanova, Cornell, Princeton, Delaware State, and Fairfield).

Ivy League play commences for the Lions on Jan. 11 vs. Cornell. Columbia concludes the 2024-25 regular season on the road against Cornell on March 8. 

The top-four regular season finishers in the conference will compete in this year's Ivy Madness, held March 14-16 at Pizzitola Sports Center in Providence, R.I. The men's semifinals will be played on March 15 and the final will follow on March 16.

The Roster

Columbia returns 12 players from last season, all but one who appeared in games throughout the 2023-24 campaign. The Lions return three starters and had just three graduates from last season's team. Top returners include leading scorer Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa (14.4 points per game) and leading rebounder Blair Thompson (5.4 rebounds per game). Guards Avery Brown and Kenny Noland will also be heavily involved in Columbia's rotation. The roster features five seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, and five first-years.

Columbia men's basketball coach Jim Engles officially announced Gianni Cobb, Mason Ritter, Gerard O'Keefe, Josiah Cunningham, and Nigel Clarkson as the program's 2024 signees that will enroll as first-years, along with transfer Daniel Vessey who will enroll as a sophomore.

"I am thrilled to introduce the six exceptional newcomers joining our team this season," Engles said. "Each of these young men bring unique talents and accomplishments that will undoubtedly contribute to our success on and off the court."

The Coaching Staff

Head coach Jim Engles enters his ninth season at the helm of the Columbia men's basketball program. Tobe Carberry begins his fifth season as assistant coach and Jake Brown begins his fourth season as assistant coach. Assistant to the head coach Jesse Agel embarks on his ninth season with the program. Austin Nisbett and Brian Sands begin their second season with the Lions.

Preseason Ivy League Poll

The Lions were predicted to finish fifth in the preseason Ivy League poll, conducted by selected members of the media. It is the highest the Lions have been picked to finish since 2017, when they were also picked fifth. Columbia had been predicted to finish eighth the last three seasons.

Series History - Delaware State

The Lions and Hornets meet for just the third time on Saturday. Columbia has won both meetings and recently defeated Delaware State on Nov. 16, 2022, 70-65.

Series History - Lehigh

The Lions are 25-14 all-time against Lehigh. The teams last met on Nov. 23, 2021 where the Mountain Hawks earned a 79-72 win.

Up Next

Columbia hosts Mercyhurst next Saturday at 12 p.m. on ESPN+ from Schiller Court at Levien Gymnasium.

Tickets on Sale

Single-game tickets for the 2024-25 Columbia men's basketball season are now on sale. Click here or call 888-LIONS-11 to purchase tickets. 

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