NYC native, Tiger freshman will play for first time at Madison Square Garden
By: Justin Feil
It took Andre Logan’s matriculation to Princeton University for him to return to play an organized basketball game in New York City.
The Brooklyn resident grew up in Manhattan on the east side just across town from Madison Square Garden. And though Logan was a three-time Daily News All-Brooklyn selection and ranked 13th in NYC by Hoop Scoop, he never had the opportunity to play in the world-famous venue.
"It wasn’t a huge deal in high school because we couldn’t play there," said Logan, a freshman on the PU men’s team. "I went to a small prep school that played its finals upstate. We would never go to the Garden anyway. It was never even a possibility."
Logan, a Poly Prep graduate, will have his first chance to play at MSG in front of hometown family and friends when the Tigers tip off the ECAC Holiday Festival 6 p.m. tonight against Penn State, the team that ended the PU season last year with a first-round National Invitational Tournament victory. Princeton would then face either Rutgers or Hofstra in the consolation or tournament championship game on Wednesday night.
"It’s big for me mostly because I get to go back to New York," Logan said. "There will be a lot more people to watch me. My family has been to a couple games, but there will be friends that I haven’t seen for a while.
"I knew we were going to play there before this season," he added. "I’ve been accustomed to the scenario of a big game since we play in front of pretty big crowds, so that’s not much different. But any time you go to a professional arena, it’s something special."
Particularly when it’s your team’s arena. Logan went to Knick games at the Garden as a child, and even now when he has soured on the NBA game, he would still rather see the Knicks win more than any other team.
"I remember Larry Johnson’s four-point play," Logan said reflecting on the Garden. "That was huge. That’s probably my most memorable moment from watching a game. They have a shot of the Garden there with everyone cheering. I know that’s not going to be the case, but still…"
Still, even without Spike Lee at courtside or Billy Crystal or Jerry Seinfeld in the stands, there’s nothing like playing in the Garden. Logan expects 10 to 20 friends and family members to be on hand to see him play. And he wants to show them that leaving town a little early has paid off.
Logan, along with fellow freshmen Konrad Wysocki and Ed Persia, came to Old Nassau in the summer to take a few classes and start working out at Princeton. The three grew into close friends.
"We came in June, that’s probably one of the key factors of why we’re so close," Logan said. "We probably live on the three furthest points of campus, but we hang out a lot because we know each other the best."
All three have had their moments, but Logan has been looking the most consistent. While Persia starts and Wysocki comes off a perfect 5-for-5 night from the floor against TCU, it is Logan who has given the Tigers a lift in the rebounding column, with his considerable passing ability and his scoring prowess.
Tonight will be the first opportunity for the 6-foot-7 freshman to show his development to the home fans.
"Mostly, I’ll try to treat it like any other game," he said. "After playing eight or so games, I don’t get nervous really. But it’s more difficult playing in front of people I know.
"I want to play the best possible. I think I’ve been playing pretty well lately, minus the TCU game. I’m going to go out and try my hardest. It’s a little more pressure with everyone there, but I just want to do my best."
Logan’s play off the bench has been strong all season. The forward was averaging 5.9 points and 2.3 rebounds in 17.5 minutes of action per game before Saturday’s Holy Cross game. His consistent play has helped put aside the notion that he saves his best games only for top quality teams.
"That was said mostly for high school," Logan said. "At Division I, every school is good. We don’t have any easy games. Everyone has the potential to beat every team. Right now, I’m just a bench player who’s working hard to get in as much as I can. I’m working to pick up more playing minutes, which fortunately has been the case."
Logan and his PU teammates will face another quality opponent tonight in Penn State, which improved to 7-1 with its Friday win over Bucknell, it’s fifth game at home in December. Princeton plays just twice at home in the first 59 days of this season.
"It’s a statement game," Logan said. "It would be a big win for our season. I’ve been saying how big it is, mostly because Penn, who’s picked by a lot of people to win the league, lost to them. A lot of people are holding us down in the league. This could show them we’re right there for the Ivy League.
"It does add a little flavor to it. It’s a common opponent. It won’t be said, but at least in my mind, it’s a big game. Any game we want to go out and win, but this will show where we are."