Lions Look to Underclassmen Ampim and Bulger for Spark

As the season begins to wind down for Columbia’s basketball team, the emergence of a few players that started the season off on the depths of the bench has been particularly noticeable. Young players, particularly freshmen Asenso Ampim and sophomore Kevin Bulger, have played a much bigger role as the Ivy League season has progressed.

Ampim began this season as a non-factor, logging only 34 minutes during the nonconference schedule, appearing in just seven games—all of which were double-digit contests. While he appeared in seven games, he recorded a “did not play” (DNP) in eight games—signaling that he may not have been picking up the offense quite yet.

The first two Ivy weekends showed much of the same, as Ampim logged an average of 6.8 minutes per game while scoring five points (four of which came in Columbia’s win at Yale). Despite the lack of playing time, it was evident that he was catching up with the Lions’ schemes. His defense became an important factor, as he filled in for Ben Nwachukwu and John Baumann once they hit foul trouble. These contests gave a glimpse of what was to come in the upcoming games.

Since the Lions’ close loss at Brown, Ampim has averaged 15 minutes per game, while
averaging 6.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest. The development of Ampim’s fundamental skills resulted in his being named Ivy Rookie of the Week last week, after establishing a career high in points (16) and securing seven rebounds against Yale.

Bulger’s emergence began last season, in a similar progression to Ampim’s. After playing 10 minutes or more in seven of Columbia’s nonconference games, and playing two minutes in the opening weekend against Penn and Princeton, Bulger became a key player for the Lions over the final 12 Ivy League games.

His progression as a player has continued this season. During the nonconference schedule, his playing time was consistently between 15 and 20 minutes. However, once Patrick Foley and Justin Armstrong went down for significant periods of time, Bulger’s playing time increased.

Just as Ampim’s play has improved after the Brown loss, so has Bulger’s. Since then, he has logged no fewer than 19 minutes, while filling up the stat sheet. Bulger has averaged 3.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.8 steals per contest. His contribution has definitely been felt as he has emerged on both sides of the ball as a solid back-up point guard and defensive stalwart.

Both players fit needs that the Lions have difficulties with at times. Ampim is a fierce on-ball defender down low, and is arguably Columbia’s best help defender. When a player penetrates the lane, Ampim’s quickness and basketball IQ allows him to help and block a few shots. Further, his athleticism is unparalleled in the Ivy League, which gives the Lions an opportunity for a quick basket at times.

Bulger, on the other hand, represents the kind of perimeter defender that can shut down some of the Ivy League’s best. Despite the fact that his offensive numbers are down slightly from a season ago, his defense and hustle plays are definitely noticed by the coaches and other players.

Despite not being near the top of the Lions in scoring (they’re actually 10th and 11th, respectively), Ampim and Bulger have been providing the Lions with a much deeper bench this season. Their minutes this season as freshmen and sophomores will provide Columbia with important experience not only for the remainder of this season, but for next year as well.