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I still remember the first time I walked into Jadwin Gymnasium back in 2015. The place had that distinct Ivy League atmosphere—academically prestigious but athletically modest. Nobody then would have predicted what I'm witnessing today: Princeton basketball transforming into a legitimate championship contender. The journey from Ivy League afterthought to national relevance has been nothing short of remarkable, and it's a story worth telling.

When Mitch Henderson took over as head coach in 2011, the program was stuck in mediocrity. They hadn't won an NCAA tournament game since 1998, and their last Ivy League championship dated back to 2011. The numbers told a bleak story—averaging just 18 wins per season between 2012 and 2016, never really threatening the conference's traditional powers like Harvard and Yale. I've followed college basketball for over two decades, and I'll admit I was skeptical about Princeton ever breaking through. The academic restrictions, the lack of athletic scholarships, the constant battle against powerhouse programs for recruits—it all seemed stacked against them.

But something shifted around 2017. Henderson started recruiting a different type of player—kids who were not just academically qualified but possessed genuine Division I talent. The breakthrough came with the 2021-2022 season when they finished 23-7 and finally broke through with an NCAA tournament victory over Arizona. I was there that night, watching in disbelief as they dismantled a program with far more resources and recognition. That's when I first understood how Princeton basketball became an Ivy League powerhouse and championship contender—it wasn't an overnight miracle but a carefully constructed process.

The real turning point, in my view, came during last season's NIT run. After narrowly missing the NCAA tournament, they could have packed it in. Instead, they rattled off impressive wins against Rutgers and Virginia Tech before falling to Texas A&M in the semifinals. I spoke with Coach Henderson after their quarterfinal victory, and he told me something that stuck: "Winning this game the way we did tonight has supplied us with some momentum. Hopefully we could carry that against Australia." He was referencing their upcoming summer exhibition tour, but the sentiment applied to their entire program—they'd learned how to build on success.

This season's numbers are staggering. They're currently 21-3 overall and 9-2 in conference play, leading the Ivy League by two games with just three remaining. Their offense ranks in the top 50 nationally in efficiency, and they're shooting 48.2% from the field—remarkable numbers for any program, let alone an Ivy League school. Senior forward Tosan Evbuomwan has developed into a legitimate NBA prospect, averaging 16.8 points and 6.9 rebounds while shooting 54% from the field. I've watched him evolve from a raw freshman into the conference's best player, and his development symbolizes Princeton's rise.

What impresses me most isn't just the winning—it's how they're winning. They play a modern, positionless style that emphasizes ball movement and three-point shooting, attempting over 26 threes per game while making them at a 37.4% clip. They've embraced analytics while maintaining the fundamental soundness that has always characterized Ivy League basketball. I've noticed more NBA scouts at their games this season than in the previous five years combined, proof that the basketball world is taking notice.

The culture change has been equally important. When I talk to players now, there's a different level of confidence. They expect to win, whether they're playing against Ivy League opponents or Power Five programs. That swagger was evident in their November upset of Oregon in Eugene—a game where they never trailed despite playing 2,500 miles from home. They've created an environment where success breeds more success, where each victory builds belief that they can compete with anyone.

Looking ahead, Princeton has a legitimate chance to make noise in next month's NCAA tournament. With their experience, offensive firepower, and unique style, they match up well against the type of athletic but undisciplined teams that typically populate the bracket. I wouldn't be surprised to see them reach the second weekend—something no Ivy League team has done since Cornell's magical run in 2010.

The transformation of Princeton basketball represents something larger than just one program's success. It proves that with the right coaching, player development, and institutional commitment, even the most challenging academic institutions can compete at the highest levels of college basketball. As someone who's followed this journey closely, I find their story particularly compelling because it challenges conventional wisdom about what's possible in the Ivy League. They've built something sustainable, something that should keep them relevant for years to come. The days of Princeton being just a cute academic story are over—they're a basketball program to be taken seriously, and frankly, I don't see that changing anytime soon.