Unfinished Business

Heading into the 2008-2009 season, the Cornell Big Red knew it would contend for a second consecutive Ivy League title and NCAA Tournament berth and scheduled itself accordingly.

The goal was simple. Play tough non-league games. Steal some quality wins during November and December and build a resume for seeding purposes in the NCAA Tournament.

The Big Red's 2008-2009 slate included playing St. John's in the Preseason NIT, then taking road trips to Siena, Indiana, Syracuse, Minnesota, and St. Joseph's, while also hosting La Salle.

Unfortunately, the unexpected injury bug hit during the preseason months and Cornell was forced to play the first eight games of the campaign without reigning Ivy League Player of the Year, Louis Dale (hamstring injury), the team's point guard and heart and soul.

Dale's return, however was only after Cornell suffered losses to St. John’s, Siena, Syracuse and Indiana. The Big Red also fell at Minnesota in Dale's first game back on Dec. 6, but he was limited to playing 10 minutes.

While Dale would ultimately return from his hamstring injury, just in time to guide Cornell to its second consecutive Ivy League title, insiders in the program had reported that Dale was never one hundred percent fully recovered during the Ivy season.

The injury is expected however to become fully healed before the 2009-2010 season.

Below is a brief summary of Cornell's results against its top 2008-2009 nonconference opponents:

• St. John's (neutral court in NIT), Red Storm knock off Cornell 86-75, but at half, Cornell trailed by just a point, 42-41.
• at Siena, final score, Saints 74 and Big Red 56, but at half, Siena led by just 4, 30-26.
• at Indiana, Hoosiers prevail 72-57, but at half, just a 35-29 Indiana lead.
• at Syracuse, Orange win 88-78, but at half, it was Cornell leading 40-35.
• at Minnesota, Gophers take the win 71-54, but the Big Red led at halftime, 40-28.
• vs. LaSalle, Cornell knocks off the Atlantic 10 team, 79-70. Dale's first "healthy" game.
  
• at St. Joseph's, Cornell falls in close 71-67 decision down in Philly.
• vs. Missouri (NCAA Tournament), Cornell falls 78-59 without injured starter Geoff Reeves. Cornell trailed 29-25 at half.
  

Cornell is one again a preseason Ivy League favorite heading into 2009-2010. And early scheduling reports have the Big Red potentially facing the likes of Syracuse, Kansas, Alabama, Seton Hall, St. Joseph's and La Salle.

Cornell hopes to have a healthy roster during the upcoming season and looks to make some noise during the preseason by pulling off some resume building wins, especially with home games against the likes of Seton Hall and St. Joseph's.

Make no mistake about it. The Big Red are not satisfied by just winning two consecutive Ivy League Championships and making first round appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

Cornell believes it has unfinished goals and is setting its sights on advancing deep into the 2010 NCAA Tournament.