The Ivy League was founded in 1954. It is the home of eight teams throughout the Northeastern part of the United States. They are Columbia University, Princeton University, Brown University, Yale University, Dartmouth University, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and Harvard University. But, only 4 teams will have the opportunity to punch their ticket to Big Dance (March Madness) in the city that “Never Sleeps ”, which is New York City at Columbia University. They are Princeton University, Yale University, Cornell University, and Brown University. Who will make their dream a reality, by playing on the biggest stage in college basketball.
(4) Brown Bears (12-17): Coming into the Ivy League tournament they are the second hottest team in the field. They have registered six straight wins in row. Because, of that miraculous rum they are making their Ivy League Tournament appearance for the first time this year. They will host the Ivy League next year in 2025. And they are on their longest winning streak since the 2018-2019 campaign. Kino Lilly Jr. became a back to back First Team Ivy League after leading the way in the league with scoring. He is also listed in the category of top three pointers made and minutes played. His teammate Kimo Ferrari leads the league in three point shooting percentage. Nana Owusu-Anane has 10 double doubles for the season. He averaged a career high in points and rebounds. He was selected to the Second Team All-Ivy.
(3) Cornell Big Red (22-6): Cornell has one of the quickest pace in the country, averaging 83.0 points on 49 percent shooting all together. In addition, they are connecting on 10.2 (3 pointers) and assisting on 18 on buckets. Chris Manon has 172 steals in 82 career games and 2.10 steals a game. Manon’s is .540 career field goal percentage, which is sixth all time at Cornell with players that have at least 400 shot attempts.
(2) Yale (20-9): Yale has reached the title game in four of the five tournaments by winning in 2022 and 2019. But, lost in 2023 and 2017. Yake leads the Ivy League in field goal percentage defense (.418) rebounding margin of +4.5 and 12th in the country in the fewest turnovers at 9.5 per game. Danny Wolf was named the Ivy League Player of the Week five times throughout the season. As a result, becoming the seventh player to have at least that number in a single season. He was also named to the Lou Henson Award Watch List.
(1) Princeton (24-3): The Tigers are the hottest team coming into the tournament play by winning 9 games in a row. Caden Pierce is a stud. He is the Ivy League Player of the Year, First Team All Ivy Team and on the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Award Mid Season Watch List. He is averaging 16 PTS, 9.4 REB, and 3.2 AST for the season. Second Team All Ivy in Matt Allocco is averaging 12PTS, 3.0 REB, and 3.4 AST for the season.
Semifinals
(4) Brown WINS vs. (1) Princeton 90-81
Top Performers:
Kino Lilly Jr: 27PTS, 3REB, 10AST
Matt Allocco: 20PTS, 3REBS, 3AST
Notes: Princeton has two strikes against them. It was a morning game and they were down double digits throughout the game. They made it close, but, ran out of time.
(2) Yale WINS vs. (3) Cornell 69-57
Top Performers:
Danny Wolf: 19pts, 10reb, 1AST
Chris Manon: 10PTS, 4REB, 2 AST
Notes: Yale length and defense help keep the Big Red at arms length.
Championship
(2) Yale WINS vs. Brown 62-61
Top Performers:
August Mahoney: 15PTS, 5REB, 2AST
Kino Lilly Jr: 21PTS, 2REB, 3AST
Notes: Brown tried to make it to the Big Dance since 1986 vs. Syracuse. But missed free throws and other opportunities to extend the lead help Yale win the game at the buzzer.
Written by: Sean Dolberry