PHIL IT UP: Princeton University men’s basketball player Philip Byriel puts up a shot in recent action. Last Saturday, senior forward Byriel scored a team-high 14 points to help Princeton defeat Division III Kean 92-71. The Tigers, now 11-4, start Ivy League action by playing at Harvard (5-8) on January 11. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Philip Byriel toiled in relative obscurity during his first three seasons on the Princeton University men’s basketball team.

The 6’9, 230-pound forward Byriel played in just 29 games off the bench during that span of 91 contests, averaging around four minutes an appearance and totaling 30 points.

This winter, senior Byriel has emerged as a key performer for Princeton in his final campaign, making eight starts in the team’s first 14 games and providing some sharp-shooting from the perimeter.

“It is nice but at the same time, I am not asked to do too much because I have such great players next to me,” said Byriel, reflecting on his increased role.

“I feel like I have done that in practice for three years with the scout team or whatever it is. Now I get to do it with the other guys. It is kind of the same thing as the last three years.”

Last Saturday, Byriel got it done as the Tigers hosted Division III Kean, scoring a team-high 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point range, as the Tigers won 92-71 and improved to 11-4.

For Byriel, that performance exemplified what he is bringing to Princeton’s frontcourt unit.

“I would say with them, just the ability to shoot it, step out a little bit and give them some space,” said Byriel, who hails from Kingston, Pa., and starred at the Perkiomen School before coming to Princeton. “That is the main one.”

Princeton head coach Mitch Henderson likes what Byriel is giving the Tigers.

“He stretches the floor in every way for us,” said Henderson of Byriel, who is averaging 6.5 points and 2.4 rebounds a game and is third on the team in 3-pointers with 24. “I thought he was terrific today. He had great energy. He is coming along as a leader. Phil has got a lot to say, he doesn’t always say it in front of us but when he does it really benefits to the group.”

Henderson got a solid group effort in the win as all 16 Tiger players scored against the Cougars.

“That is a really well-coached team, I would love for us to have seen some slightly different actions throughout the course of the game,” said Henderson, who got 13 points from freshman Peyton Seals in the victory with junior Jackson Hicke chipping in 12. “I actually think those kind of games really help you. We didn’t prepare the guys as much. We were hopeful that we could withstand what was going on. It wasn’t beautiful but we wanted to get everybody in.”

With Princeton getting into Ivy League play this week by playing at Harvard (5-8) on January 11, the Tigers will be doing some deep preparation for the clash with the Crimson.

“We start the league now, it is very much in the front of our mind,” said Henderson. “We are going on the road to start up there at Harvard, we know it is a challenge. Just because we have had success before doesn’t mean that we are going to have success now. We have been really good at preparing. The guys have been really locked in on the littlest of details. That would be what we do this week.”

Missing star forward Caden Pierce against Kean after he suffered an ankle injury in a 76-75 win over Akron on December 30, Henderson is looking for Byriel and freshman Mali Abdullahi to pick up the slack in the paint.

“I would like to be bigger just generally so I am glad that we have both Phil and Malik in there who can play together,” said Henderson, noting that he expected Pierce to be back in action against Harvard. “That is going to be important for us once we hit league. Each game is going to require a bit of a different look and both of those guys have played in really big moments. We have a lot of different ways we can play and different looks we can give. Whatever is necessary is what we are going to do. As long as the guys are committed to that, I think we can be really good.”

Having won three straight Ivy regular season titles, Princeton knows that it has a bull’s eye on its back in a league that has seen increased parity in recent years.

“I think it is the strongest it has been since I have been coach, I have probably said that before,” said Henderson. “The teams that historically have not been making the tournament are doing great. I think Columbia has two losses. I think the league looks great and we are going to be challenged at every level. We are going to get everybody’s best shot. It will be a really fun challenge. I am looking forward to it.”

In Henderson’s view, the Tigers are ready for that challenge.

“We have quality wins against St Joseph’s, Rutgers, and then Akron without Cade,” said Henderson. “We have had a couple of low moments in the season and the guys have been responding. There has been real progress. You want to be playing your very best basketball in March. That is the trajectory that I am after and what I see.”

Byriel believes that Princeton is poised to play its best when it matters the most.

“I feel like you can always be in a better place and obviously we want Cade back too,” said Byriel. “Assuming that everyone is ready and is good to go, we are in a good spot. It is hard but we have always responded pretty well.”