This question has come up several times over the last 10 days, and I don't have a great answer.
If Gabe Lewullis' 1996 NCAA Tournament layup versus defending champion UCLA is the biggest basket in the shot clock/three point shot/modern era of Princeton basketball (even though if Lewullis misses the game is almost certainly going to overtime) and Douglas Davis' jumper at the buzzer versus Harvard to win the 2011 Ivy League playoff is a close second, what's third?
Kyle Wente's game-winner at Harvard probably saved the 2000-01 season in retrospect.
Similarly, Will Venable's offensive rebound for a three point play at Yale in 2003-04.
Ed Persia's 80' hurl at Monmouth was an amazing moment, but an early December non-conference game doesn't have much weight in its balance.
Scott Greenman to Justin Conway was a fun conclusion to game with no stakes involved.
What about the half court backdoor layup that ostensibly finished off a Top 25 Marquette team in Milwaukee for the 1996 First Bank Classic classic title?
Perhaps it is Sydney Johnson's three point shot against Penn in the '96 Ivy playoff with just over a minute left in overtime to break a 54-54 tie?
More often than not for Princeton these sorts of shots in these sorts of situations have not gone in. There are countless iconic games from the past 30 years but far fewer iconic single field goals.
I'd be curious to hear your picks.
