Gil Jackson returns to The Palestra with his Howard program to face his former employer, and Dartmouth becomes the last Ivy program to play its home opener. However, tonight’s biggest games involve challenging games away from home for Columbia and Cornell.
Howard (0-2) at Penn (0-2) – 5:00 pm ET
GameWatcher | Penn video | Penn audio
The Quakers desperately need a win after the disappointment of their first two games. Glen Miller needs his guards to shoot like they did last season — not like they have so far this year. Howard also is winless on the young season, but the Jackson’s Bison have dropped their first two games by a combined 109 points. Penn has had three rough losses already this season: Drexel, Loyola, and now Darren Smith. The Quakers can’t afford to drop a game against a Howard squad that ranks among the weaker opponents on their 2007-08 schedule.
Columbia (1-2) at Albany (1-1) – 7:00 pm ET
GameWatcherColumbia video | | Albany video | Columbia audio | Albany audio
Columbia has looked increasingly better in each of its three games this year, culminating in a very solid performance at Ohio State earlier this week. The Great Danes have a tough loss at Bucknell and an overtime win over Central Connecticut to show for themselves. Albany has played very well defensively in the two games, allowing just 0.89 points per possession on the strength of 17.9-percent opponent shooting from three-point range. The Lions are an excellent perimeter shooting team, so something has to give.
Cornell (1-0) at Ohio (1-0) – 7:00 pm ET
Gametracker | Ohio audio
Following an opener where Cornell showed some jitters, Steve Donahue will be looking for a much stronger effort tonight. The Big Red faces an Ohio team that also won its home opener, though against a more impressive opponent in New Mexico State. The Bobcats were picked third in the MAC’s East Division in the preseason media poll, so this ranks among the tougher non-league games for Cornell this season. The game could be played at a fast pace, as Donahue is looking to up the tempo this year and Ohio had 74 possessions in its first game. For those looking to listen in, note that there won’t be a Cornell broadcast tonight due to a conflict with football.
James Madison(1-0) at Dartmouth (1-1) – 7:00 pm ET
GameWatcher | Dartmouth video | James Madison audio | Dartmouth audio
The Big Green finally gets a chance to play in front of its home fans when James Madison plays the return game in a home-and-home series. Last year, a 74-70 win down in Harrisonburg signaled a turnaround in Dartmouth’s fortunes. The Dukes are coming off a huge 100-88 upset of a very good Siena team, so the Big Green could have its hands full. Both coaches are looking for their teams to get out and run, so this could turn into a track meet very quickly.
