Princeton-Rutgers continue men's basketball rivalry at Prudential Center in Never Forget Tribute Classic

By Kyle Franko

Princeton-Rutgers continue men's basketball rivalry at Prudential Center in Never Forget Tribute Classic

Mitch Henderson has said time and time again that he wants to play the best New Jersey has to offer.

That means getting Rutgers on the schedule.

It hasn't always been easy, but for the second straight season the Tigers (8-4) and Scarlet Knights (7-4) continue their rivalry on a neutral floor. This one will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark as the seventh edition of the Never Forget Tribute Classic.

While Princeton coach Mitch Henderson would love a home-and-home or even a two-for-one, that's rarely the way it works. If Rutgers wants the game at Jersey Mike's Arena then off to Piscataway the Tigers will go. If Rutgers is OK with a neutral site then that's where the Tigers will go.

"We want to play Rutgers, we want to play Seton Hall," Henderson said following a victory over Monmouth on Dec. 10. "If they say we want to play on this date, we're going to play."

The Scarlet Knights two of the nation's top players in future NBA lottery picks Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey. This is also a reunion with former Tiger Zach Martini, who transferred to Rutgers for his graduate year.

"We definitely got that game circled on our calendar," Princeton star Xaivian Lee said. "I'm sure he does, too. That whole team, probably. I just know if he gets an offensive rebound, coach isn't going to let us hear the end of it."

Martini immediately made his presence felt in practice and was named a team captain by coach Steve Pikiell even though he had yet to play a game in the scarlet and white.

"What excites me the most about being captain this year is the opportunity to lead Rutgers into one of the most highly anticipated seasons in school history," Martini said in the team's game notes. "Being an upperclassman, I know what sacrifices it takes to win at the highest level and I know winning in the Big Ten won't be easy. I am thankful for our coaching staff putting the faith in me to help lead this team."

Martini could act as a player/coach of sorts given his intimate knowledge of the Princeton system. He had the best year of his career last season when he shot 38.5% from 3 and carved out a role as a stretch five for Princeton as it went on to win the Ivy League regular-season title.

Martini started the first five games this season, but has shifted to a bench role, although he's likely to get a run out against his former team.

"It's going to be fun," Princeton forward Caden Pierce said. "I can't wait. I hope he guards me and I hope I guard him."

The point guard matchup between Lee and Harper is sure to draw the attention of NBA scouts.

Harper is projected to go as a top-five pick, while Lee has been mocked in the second round depending on where you look.

Both players have had huge moments this season.

Harper delivered one of the most iconic shots in the storied Rutgers-Seton Hall rivalry when he knocked down 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Scarlet Knights a 66-63 victory.

Harper could very well be on his way to All-American status. He leads the team in scoring at 23.4 points, which ranks third nationally behind Villanova's Eric Dixon and Green Bay's Anthony Roy (both 25.7 points) and first among freshmen.

When Harper went for 36 and 37 points in back-to-back games against Notre Dame and Alabama at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas he became the first Rutgers player to have 30 in consecutive games since Quincy Douby in March of 2006 and first freshmen to do that in 20 years.

Lee made his own history at Princeton earlier this month when he became the first player in the program's storied history to record a triple-double after he posted an 18-13-11 in a win over Saint Joseph's.

The junior is averaging 15.8 points, six rebounds and 5.6 assists. He ranks in the top 50 nationally in total assists, assists per game and assists/turnovers ratio.

Look for Lee to see a steady diet of Jeremiah Williams. The 6-4, 200-pound redshirt senior is a tenacious defender who will try to be physical against the slighter Lee who goes 6-4, 180-pounds.

Lee has become accustomed to the physical play and can use his quickness and lethal step-back 3 (40% from beyond the arc) to create space.

Princeton lacks size and rim protection when Harper or Bailey slash to the basket -- Harper can get to the paint with his 6-6 frame and knows how to use his body to create angles; Bailey (17.9 points) is one of the best tough-shot makers in all of college basketball -- or it goes inside to either the 6-10, 270-pound Emmanuel Ogobole or the 6-10, 275-pound Lathan Sommerville.

The Tigers will need to spread the floor and make 3s to have a chance. Lee, Dalen Davis (39.7%), Blake Peters (39.5%) and Philip Byriel (40%) are all 39% or better.

They also probably can't win this game without a big Pierce performance. The junior forward has seen his numbers drop off from last season's Ivy Player of the Year campaign, but he's still averaging 11.3 points and 6.7 rebounds.

In a series that dates back to 1917, Princeton leads all-time, 76-45, including last season's 68-61 victory in the season opener at Trenton's CURE Insurance Arena.

There was actually a significant gap in the series -- prior to last season's meeting the previous game was in 2013 -- largely because Rutgers wasn't interested in playing.

Henderson is 3-1 in his career against the Scarlet Knights.

The 122nd meeting between the Garden State rivals tips off a high noon and will be broadcast nationally on FS1. Jersey natives John Fanta (play by play) and Jim Spanarkel (analyst) will have the call.

Rutgers is represented on its roster by NJ natives Harper (Franklin Lakes; Don Bosco), Martini (Warren; Gill St. Bernard's), Jordan Derkack (Colonia; Colonia) and Peter Noble (Middletown; CBA).

Princeton is represented on its roster by NJ natives Peyton Seals (Wyckoff; Ramapo), Jack Scott (Pelican Island; Hun) and Zio Kim (Basking Ridge; Pennington).

Princeton Gameday

WHO: Princeton (8-4) vs. Rutgers (7-4), Never Forget Tribute Classic

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