Basketball just needs a little swagger

The 2009-10 men’s basketball season has been tough for me to watch. Before everyone went home for Christmas break we were sitting at 5-5 overall, with hopes of contending for the Ivy title. Since then, the Lions have gone 4-8 overall, with some ugly losses to conference rivals Cornell, Harvard, and Princeton. I can’t help but ask, what’s the deal?

Here at Spec sports, we’ve run all sorts of in­­—focus stories analyzing the ups and downs of the season — from the Lions’ injury problems to their lack of ball movement. All the articles pointed to important aspects of the team’s game that needed to improve. After reading these stories, it may appear as if we are, in short, inferior to Cornell. But this is not the case. Statistically, the Lions aren’t that far off.

The Big Red is led by Ryan Wittman, who averages an impressive 17.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game; the Crimson is led by Jeremy Lin, who averages 16.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. They are both good players, but we’ve got our own scoring machine. Noruwa Agho averages 17.0 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, on par with both Wittman and Lin. So, if we match up with the top two teams in the top player category then we must be lacking at the other positions, right? Not quite. The Crimson has two players that average over five rebounds per game and the Big Red has one. The Lions have two big men that average over five rebounds per game in Brian Grimes and Asenso Ampim. If you’re wondering about the other statistical categories, we average nearly the same amount of assists, steals, and points as our opponents. In other words, when it comes to talent we can keep up with the big boys. So, what’s the deal?

My answer is one word: swagger. I’m sure a few of you were expecting me to answer Coach Jones, but he is not the problem (although he can help solve it). It is all about swagger. The winners have it and we don’t. But how does having swagger make a team better? I’m glad you asked.

Off the court, swagger can take a variety of forms: from walking with confidence to being able to chat up the sexiest person in the room. On the court, swagger is knowing you are going to win the game no matter who is sitting on the opponent’s bench. For example, a team that is playing with swagger is a force on the offensive end. Each pass, dribble, and shot is made with the sole purpose of scoring the rock. There is no wasted movement, and each man on the court knows exactly what must be done and when. Most importantly, the players are fearless and poised. Unfortunately for us, I do not see enough of this from Columbia. Far too often we make unnecessary and soft moves. In general, we look intimidated. On the defensive end, teams with swagger know the opponent isn’t going to score and they follow the all-important rule: no easy buckets. Every shot is contested, the hoop is protected like it’s made of gold, and when a foul is committed around the basket it’s a hard one that is meant to remind the opposing player that nothing comes easy. However, I rarely see this attitude from our beloved Lions. I’ve witnessed too many dribble drives from opposing guards get all the way to the hoop, and not enough hard, “don’t bring that weak shit” fouls.

Now I must point out that in no way am I criticizing the skill or drive of our players. I know they want to win and I know they have the skills to do accomplish that goal. All they need is a shot of swagger directly into the bloodstream. It’s tough to get players to believe that they can beat any opponent any time, especially when 90 percent of the school doesn’t think you can win, but it must be done. The only way to turn around the season is to change the way we approach the game. I mean, come on, we are the Lions. What has more swagger than a lion?

Bart Lopez is a Columbia College junior majoring in economics-mathematics.