The Team Photo

Princeton hosts South Carolina in men's basketball tonight (7, WPRB FM 103.3, goprincetontigers.com) in an interesting matchup. The much-improved Tigers played in Columbia against the Gamecocks two seasons ago and dropped a 54-48 decision; this year's game is one of the highlights of the schedule.

South Carolina shipped a box of media guides up in advance of the contest, and TigerBlog was impressed with the publication. At the same time, TigerBlog couldn't help but chuckle at the team picture on page 3.

There are 11 players in the picture - including the explosive Devan Downey, a first-team All-SEC player a year ago who averages nearly 20 points per game.

At the same time, there are 13 non-players in the picture. In other words, there are more people wearing suits and ties than a basketball uniform.

The titles of the non-players are: head coach, video coordinator, strength and conditioning coach, director of player development, equipment manager, Fellowship of Christian Athletes representative, co-head manager, co-head manager, athletic trainer, coordinator of basketball operations, assistant coach, assistant coach and assistant coach.

TigerBlog couldn't find the current Princeton team photo but did happen to have the 1997-98 team photo nearby. That picture has 15 players and eight non-players; the non-players are the head coach, three assistant coaches, athletic trainer, equipment manager and two student managers.

Contrast this with the annual Princeton men's lacrosse team photo, which consists only of the players. Bill Tierney has never included anyone other than the players, not even coaches.

TigerBlog is looking forward to seeing the game tonight, and to see how the Tigers handle Downey and a team that likes to get up into the 80s. At the same time, TigerBlog has one question: Would it have been the end of the world to include the sports information person in the team photo as well?