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Greyfriars Bobby · 01-13-2020, 07:45 PM

November 10, 2019

The season is about to begin, so it's time to take our first look at the 2019-20 Princeton Tigers.

For the second consecutive season, the Tigers will start a pair of seniors in the backcourt.

Point guard Steve Vines must replace last year’s Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, graduated senior Wayne Hammond. Vines, who averaged 3.1 points and 1.8 assists/game as Hammond’s backup last year, is not nearly as accomplished a defender, but he has very good court vision and is a threat to shoot from outside.

Both Hammond and last season’s shooting guard, Doug Lane, were second team All-Ivy selections, so Lane’s successor, Brian Jones, also has big shoes to fill. Jones, who barely played in 2018-19, is nonetheless a talented player. He is a threat from three-point range, and he is also savvy enough to run the offense if need be.

A pair of promising underclassmen, sophomore Chris Johnson and freshman Daniel Winkfield, provide backcourt depth.

The return of power forward Rick Henry, whose 2018-19 season ended in January when he tore his Achilles, is a huge plus. Henry started 20 of 21 games before his injury, averaging 10 points and six boards a game. Harris will count on even more from the senior, who is comfortable both on the perimeter or in the post.

A fourth senior, Andre Thompson, will fill the small forward slot. Thompson is perhaps the team’s best defender, with the athleticism to guard quick wings and the strength to hold his own against big men. He demonstrated his scoring ability last year, averaging 9.3 PPG as the team’s sixth man.

Justin McKie will come off the bench to spell Thompson, bringing a solid mid-range game and a quick pair of hands. Harris can also call on freshman Shawn Jackson, who looks like a football tight end but prefers to operate on the wing.

Freshman Sammy Forney will be counted on to contribute right away. He has the size and strength to assert himself in the paint, but he also offers a decent mid-range jumper. If he develops into the star Harris believes he can be, the Tigers will be set in the pivot for the next four years.

Forney’s arrival moves last year’s starter, Stevie Benson, into a reserve role. Benson averaged 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds/game last season. He's a more traditional post player than Forney, and he'll get a decent amount of playing time, spelling both Forney and Henry.

01-13-2020, 07:45 PM	#18
Greyfriars Bobby College Prospect Join Date: Sep 2013	November 10, 2019 The season is about to begin, so it's time to take our first look at the 2019-20 Princeton Tigers. For the second consecutive season, the Tigers will start a pair of seniors in the backcourt. Point guard Steve Vines must replace last year’s Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, graduated senior Wayne Hammond. Vines, who averaged 3.1 points and 1.8 assists/game as Hammond’s backup last year, is not nearly as accomplished a defender, but he has very good court vision and is a threat to shoot from outside. Both Hammond and last season’s shooting guard, Doug Lane, were second team All-Ivy selections, so Lane’s successor, Brian Jones, also has big shoes to fill. Jones, who barely played in 2018-19, is nonetheless a talented player. He is a threat from three-point range, and he is also savvy enough to run the offense if need be. A pair of promising underclassmen, sophomore Chris Johnson and freshman Daniel Winkfield, provide backcourt depth. The return of power forward Rick Henry, whose 2018-19 season ended in January when he tore his Achilles, is a huge plus. Henry started 20 of 21 games before his injury, averaging 10 points and six boards a game. Harris will count on even more from the senior, who is comfortable both on the perimeter or in the post. A fourth senior, Andre Thompson, will fill the small forward slot. Thompson is perhaps the team’s best defender, with the athleticism to guard quick wings and the strength to hold his own against big men. He demonstrated his scoring ability last year, averaging 9.3 PPG as the team’s sixth man. Justin McKie will come off the bench to spell Thompson, bringing a solid mid-range game and a quick pair of hands. Harris can also call on freshman Shawn Jackson, who looks like a football tight end but prefers to operate on the wing. Freshman Sammy Forney will be counted on to contribute right away. He has the size and strength to assert himself in the paint, but he also offers a decent mid-range jumper. If he develops into the star Harris believes he can be, the Tigers will be set in the pivot for the next four years. Forney’s arrival moves last year’s starter, Stevie Benson, into a reserve role. Benson averaged 7.6 points and 4.2 rebounds/game last season. He's a more traditional post player than Forney, and he'll get a decent amount of playing time, spelling both Forney and Henry.