Perhaps it’s appropriate that the Cornell Men’s Basketball Team opens its season on the day after Veterans’ Day, as this will be the season after a veteran season. Much has been said of the team’s loss of 8 seniors, as well as longtime coach Steve Donahue. The Red are going to be a work in progress during the non-conference schedule, as new players get used to playing with each other and for a new coach. The team ought to look much better come the start of Ivy play, but here are three things to look for tomorrow night in determining if this team has a shot at winning a fourth straight Ivy crown. Defense: Often overlooked was how good Cornell’s defense was last season. Coach Bill Courtney has emphasized playing aggressive defense, and with an undersized team, playing consistently on the defensive end will be critical for this young roster. Points in the paint: Last season’s team relied on center Jeff Foote when it absolutely needed a basket. This season the Red boast no player taller than 6’9”. Besides, several of their big men either prefer to play on the perimeter, or have limited offensive games. The team is going to need the threat of a post scorer, though, to keep opposing defenses honest. Rebounding: Albany lacks size, so if Cornell struggles on the glass, it could portend a long season.

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