The numbers: 4-3, 180th RPI, 255th Sagarin, 272nd Pomeroy
The recent results: lost 81-55 at Providence (11/28), lost 54-41 to Stony Brook (11/25)
The upcoming schedule: Sacred Heart (12/2), Wagner (12/5)

Déjà vu
Columbia fans have to be feeling as though they’ve seen this show already. Twice, as a matter of fact. In 2004-05, the Lions started out 6-1, got pounded at Hofstra, then lost a second-straight game to North Carolina State at the Garden. Last year Columbia opened 5-0, then suffered a terrible home loss to Army before dropping an uncompetitive game at Wagner. This season saw the Lions run out to a 4-1 start, only to lose to Stony Brook at home and then get blown out at Providence. The good news? The past two years Columbia won its next game to halt the losing streak at two games.

Baumann’s disappearing act
John Baumann averaged 17.0 points in his first five games — including a 29-point explosion against UC Davis. However, Baumann scored just two points in the home loss to Stony Brook, and was held scoreless in 25 minutes by Providence. In the two losses he attempted only eight shots and did not get to the free throw line once.

Nwachukwu showing steady improvement
While his minutes are essentially the same, Ben Nwachukwu has seen his scoring rise from 10.5 points per game last year to 12.3 this season, while his rebounding has gone from 5.4 rebounds per game last year to 7.0 this year. However, the most impressive improvement this year has been his ability to get to the line. Nwachuwku has attempted 45 free throws in seven games this year — nearly halfway to his sophomore total of 95. The big man is an excellent shooter at the line, knocking down 73.7 percent last year and converting at an 80.0-percent clip so far this season.

Getting it done at the line
Nwachukwu isn’t the only Lion adept at getting to the free throw line, as Columbia ranks 94th nationally in free throw rate, averaging an attempt every 3.18 posessions. Once at the line, the Lions rank 25th in free throw shooting at 76.1 percent. Seven Columbia regulars have free throw percentages over 70.0 percent. Not surprisingly, 22.8 percent of the Lions’ points have come from the charity stripe.

Health report
After missing all of his freshman season due to a back injury, Joe Bova has been able to play this season. Bova played a career-high 11 minutes against Providence. Justin Armstrong has been battling knee problems that have prevented him from playing major minutes this season. Armstrong has started only once and has logged 20 or more minutes only three times in seven games.

Statistical odds and ends
– Last year it was carelessness with the ball that sabotaged Columbia’s offensive efficiency, as the Lions ranked 315th nationally with a 25.1-percent turnover rate. Things haven’t gotten any better this year, as Columbia is turning it over on 25.2 percent of its possessions.

– Joe Jones’s offense has done a good job generating looks, as Columbia is 58th in Division I in assist percentage, recording assists on 63.1 percent of its field goals.

– After hitting 41.6 percent of his shots from the arc last year, K.J. Matsui is off to a poor start this year at 6 of 21 (28.6 percent). The sophomore lost his starting job against Providence, as freshman Niko Scott got the honor. Scott is 9 of 19 (47.4 percent) from three-point range so far as a collegian.

– Mack Montgomery also has been struggling with his shooting, hitting just 31.0 percent of his field goals and 28.6 percent of his three-pointers.

– Of Brett Loscalzo’s 25 shots, 20 have come from three-point range.