2024 Preview
Superlatives:
Best Overall Team: Princeton
Best Overall Player: Kino Lilly Jr., BROWN
Best Shooter: John Poulakidas, YALE
Best Defenseman: Bez Mbeng, YALE
Sleeper Team (Conference): Columbia
Sleeper Team (March): Princeton
Princeton guard Xaivian Lee; Xaivian Lee via instagram
1. Princeton Tigers
2023 Record: 24-5
After an abrupt two game skid ended a historic 2023 season early, Princeton reloads with the two headed monster of Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce still on the roster. Lee and Pierce combined to average more than 33 points per game as both were selected to the All-Ivy League First Team last season. The Tigers didn’t have to go far in their search for a third scoring option with the emergence of guard Daelen Davis down the stretch (10.2 over his last nine games).
Although the Tigers struggled with rebounding — particularly offensively — the offense still ranked at the top of the Ivy League and inside the nation’s top-30 units with its low turnover rate, high efficiency shooting and slow-paced tempo. Returning three starters will help influence the development of the unit, which floundered in an Ivy League semi-final loss to Brown last season.
2. Yale Bulldogs
2023 Record: 23-10
The departure of powerful center Danny Wolf to Michigan stings for the Bulldogs, but coach James Jones did well in retaining the remaining core of the roster. Sharpshooter John Poulakidas averaged 13.4 points per night last year and hit 150 threes over the course of the last two years. Defensive stalwart Bez Mbeng returns fresh off his second Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year award. The development of key reserves from last season such as Nick Townsend and Samson Aletan will be crucial in replacing Wolf’s large shoes down low.
The Bulldogs piloted one of the better offenses in the Ivy League last season, ranking second in eFG% in conference play and shooting nearly 57% from inside the arc. Jones enforces a salty defensive style built on the ability to limit open shots. The return of Mbeng is huge in this aspect. The Bulldogs will more than likely rank at the top of the Ivy League again but will need to improve on the boards offensively especially without the presence of the space-eating Wolf.
3. Brown Bears
2023 Record: 13-18
After a sub-.500 season turned into a trip to the Ivy League Tournament final and last second loss to Yale, the Bears retool with three returning starters and many vital bench pieces ready to step into bigger roles. The head of the operation, Kino Lilly Jr., returns after leading the conference in scoring (18.8) and three pointers made, along with the physical Nana Owusu-Anane and big guard Aaron Cooley.
Brown was one of the best rebounding teams in the conference last season and will look to build off that with the return of Owusu-Anane. The Bears were fine from behind the arc offensively last season but struggled to find consistency from two-point land. Look for returning reserve Alexander Lesburt Jr. to spark an offensive revolution as a third option, opening up opportunities for the dangerous Lilly Jr. to operate.
4. Cornell Big Red
2023 Record: 22-8
There are pieces back in Ithaca to compete for an Ivy League title but chances hinge on the progression of those pieces. Top-scorer Nazir Williams (11.4) is back along with Cooper Noard as the lone returning starters. Key reserve Guy Ragland Jr. will now step into a lead role for the Big Red, and forward AK Okereke was a solid interior rebounder on the wing.
The Big Red found success last season when leaning on its marauding defense, which led the Ivy League with an 18.1% turnover percentage. Cornell was also one of the more efficient — and fast paced — offenses in the Ivy League last season, something that may change with the departure of head coach Brian Earl to William & Mary. Improving the defensive interior is a must for the Big Red as a new regime moves in.
5. Columbia Lions
2023 Record: 13-14
Leading scorer Rubio De La Rosa spearheads the Lions’ returning core with over 14 points per night, while Avery Brown provides an excellent second option for a Columbia team looking to vault into the top half of the Ivy League. Three returning starters and three reserves averaging higher than five points per game helps.
The Lions were the league’s best three point shooting team last season but struggled just about everywhere else on offense, especially with turnovers. Columbia’s defense was one of the league’s worst, posting a 112.9 defensive efficiency rating per KenPom. Finding an identity in the backcourt will be paramount for Columbia as the Lions search for an elusive NCAA Tournament birth.
6. Penn Quakers
2023 Record: 11-18
The Quakers have lost a top scorer each of the past three seasons but will retool around a savvy frontcourt headed by creative Nick Spinoso. There is a lot banking on the development of unproven and oftentimes injured backcourt pieces, which tanks the Quakers’ preseason stock. Still, Penn has the opportunity to compete with a solid returning core.
The Penn defense was the Ivy League’s second worst in 2023, struggling to turn the ball over and allowing nearly 38% of three’s to go in. Granted, there were a lot of injuries in the Quaker backcourt last season and most of those projected starters from last season will actually play in 2024.
7. Dartmouth Big Green
2023 Record: 6-21
Dartmouth lost its leading scorer in the off season but still boasts one of the Ivy League’s oldest squads ahead of year nine under coach David McLaughlin. Two key returning pieces are Ryan Cornish and Brandon Mitchell-Day, the expected leaders of the offense. There are three returning starters back for the Big Green, who look to post its first winning record this century.
Improving its defense — and offense — is a good place to start. Dartmouth ranked at the bottom of the Ivy League on both sides of the ball, failing to rebound, shot block and prevent open shots effectively.
8. Harvard Crimson
2023 Record: 14-13
The Crimson roster was gutted by the transfer portal this off season, especially by the transfer of Malik Mack to Georgetown. There are two returning starters and a handful of palpable recruits, but Harvard lacks any kind of firepower near the likes of Yale or Princeton ahead of 2024.
Look for Louis Lesmond to have an offensive impact early as the team’s leading returning scorer. The Crimson will need to establish a frontcourt presence in order to escape the cellar of the Ivy League ahead of 2024.