Princeton Coach Hates Players, and Vice Versa
People just don't like playing for Princeton men's basketball coach Joe Scott.
Scott, who has the unenviable role of filling the shoes of former coach John Thompson III, has been by all accounts a huge bust for the Tigers. And it's becoming increasingly clear that his personality has something to do with it. Scott, late of the top job at the Air Force academy, tends to start each season by kicking a few players off his team. This year was no exception (although Princeton did issue this hilarious "roster clarification" to make it seem like sophomore Geoff Kestler actually didn't leave the program, which, we're telling you, he did).
But now players are saving Scott the trouble of booting them by fleeing the team themselves. In early January, one the squad's top freshmen, Blake Wilson, announced he would be leaving Scott's program to transfer to St. Joseph's. Senior Max Schafer's minutes were cut so sharply he quit. And last week, recruiting site Scout.com broke news that the team's top recruit -- Jeff Peterson -- would break his commitment to Princeton (despite getting in early decision) and find another school to play for.
Princeton has a decent record overall, but they're 0-2 in Ivy play so far, including a loss to Cornell in which they scored just 35 points, the school's fewest ever in an Ivy game* since the introduction of the shot clock. For audio evidence of how grating Scott is, check out the sound of his voice here. Jesus -- we thought we'd never find another Princetonian as annoying to listen to as this guy.
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January 29th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
In other news: “Princeton Students Hate Coach Who Destroyed Their Famed Basketball Program”
January 29th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I hope you don’t mind the blog streaking. I just wanted to make note of the vancouver police department complaints I tried to make regarding death threats were ignored and magically disappeared from my inbox after I made a personal visit to the cop shop. Ah the life of a dissident conservative inn Canada. Crooked cops
January 29th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
Correct me if I misunderstood the post, but I’m confused about the reference to scoring “just 35 points, the school’s fewest ever since the introduction of the shot clock.”
The Tigers scored 21 against Monmouth just last season — tied for the lowest in NCAA history since the introduction of the shot clock. Are you sure that’s not Princeton’s lowest *Ivy* score?
January 29th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
That and he looks like Topher-whatshisname from “That 70s Show.”
January 30th, 2007 at 3:21 am
Yes, Penn ‘07, you are correct. Your diligence in noting Pton basketball’s feebleness has been noticed and you will get ten extra points in Penn heaven.
January 30th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Damn it. I knew that and left it out. Thanks.
February 3rd, 2007 at 5:38 pm
The following records have been set by the Princeton University men’s basketball team since coach Joe Scott took over the program for the 2004-2005 season.
2004-05
Finished sixth in the Ivy League in Joe Scott’s first season. Princeton’s first losing Ivy League season in 52 years.
2005-06
Scored a total of 21 points in a 41-21 loss to Monmouth. Tying the fewest points by a team in NCAA Division I since the inception of the 3-points shot in 1986.
Lost to D III Carnegie-Mellon 51-46. It was the first DIII team ever to defeat Princeton.
2006-07
Columbia won the Ivy League opener 64-56 and won consecutive games against Princeton for the first time since sweeping the Tigers in the 1992-93 season.
Princeton’s 55-35 loss to Cornell were its fewest points in an Ivy League game since falling to Cornell 63-30 on the final game of the 1984-85 season. The loss was Princeton’s biggest in Ivy League play since a 24 pt. defeat against Penn at Jadwin Gym in 2002. Tied the fewest points in an Ivy League game with this years 43-35 loss at Yale.
Princeton fell to 0-2 in Ivy League play for the first time since the 1983-84 season.
The 38-point margin in the the 79-41 loss to Seton Hall was the largest since a 77-34 loss to Cornell in 1946.
This years 43-35 loss to Yale is the first time Princeton lost its first three Ivy League games since the conference was formed in 1956-57.