NCAA Tournament 2017: Princeton, Notre Dame Set To Tangle In Buffalo

PRINCETON, NJ — The Princeton University men’s basketball team is less than 24 hours away from its first NCAA Tournament appearance in six years.

The Tigers (23-6) are the 12th seed in the West Region, and face No. 5 Notre Dame (25-9) in the first round of the tournament on Thursday, 12:15 p.m. at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, NY. The game will air live on CBS.

The game will also stream live online, on the March Madness Live App and on the NCAA’s website. Anyone who can’t get to a TV or computer can listen to the game on the radio on WPRB 103.3 FM in Princeton, and on any number of Westwood One stations.

If you’re looking for a more festive environment, here are the 10 Best Bars in Princeton, according to Yelp!

Princeton advanced to the tournament after winning the inaugural Ivy League tournament in Philadelphia over the weekend. They were 14-0 during the regular season, and the two tournament wins over Pennsylvania and Yale made them the first 16-0 team in conference history. Notre Dame earned an at-large bid after advancing to the finals of the ACC tournament in New York.

The Tigers braved a nor’easter earlier this week, but arrived in Buffalo on Tuesday.

Goprincetontigers.com is with the team every step of the way in Buffalo, and the Tigers’ Media Guide, which includes postseason notes, is online here.

NCAA Bracketologist Joe Lunardi believes Princeton has a chance against Notre Dame, but the Irish are likely going to be too much. To see his video analysis of the Tigers, visit espn.com.

The seeding seems to be on the side of Princeton, as No. 12 seeds are known for upsetting No. 5 seeds in the first round of the tournament. Since 1985, at least one No. 12 seed has beaten a No. 5 seed in all but four seasons. Out of the four matchups this season, CBS Sports ranks Princeton beating Notre Dame as the third most likely upset.

Not a fan of either team? If you follow New Jersey high school basketball, there may still be a reason to watch. There are New Jersey players on both teams, including:

• Princeton Guard Amir Bell (East Brunswick);
• Princeton Forward Spencer Weisz (Florham Park);
• Princeton Guard Myles Stephens (Lawrenceville);
• Princeton Center Richmond Aririguzoh (Ewing);
• Notre Dame Guard Temple Gibbs (Scotch Plains);
• Notre Dame Guard Matt Ferrell (Bridgewater); and
• Notre Dame Guard Steve Vasturia (Medford).
• Princeton Guard Jose Morales is from Miramar, Florida, but attended the Hun School.
• Notre Dame Forward Elijah Burns is from Blair, NY, but attended Blair Academy.

To view Princeton's full roster, visit goprincetontigers.com.

To view Notre Dame's full roster, visit und.com.

Princeton is making its 25th NCAA Tournament appearance. Princeton is 13-28 all-time in the tournament, with one Final Four appearance, in 1965. It has never won the national championship.

Notre Dame is making its 36th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Notre Dame is 37-39 all-time in the tournament, with one Final Four appearance, in 1978. It has also never won a national title, but it has advanced to the regional finals each of the last two years.

Princeton coach Mitch Henderson is 118-59 in six years at the university, according to The Buffalo News. Notre Dame coach Mike Brey is 381-186 in 17 years with the Fighting Irish.

The winner of this game will play the winner of the game between No. 4 West Virginia and No. 13 Bucknell on Saturday.

To view the full bracket, click here.