2024 Ivy League Basketball Tournament

The Ivy League does not present much intrigue from a format standpoint, as only four teams make the bracket. However, the level of basketball is high. Princeton returns a decent chunk of production from the team that upset No. 2 Arizona last season in the NCAA Tournament, and it is primed to return to the NCAA Tournament once again as the favorite to win the Ivy League.

Yale threatens to ruin that dream though, as the Bulldogs are the best defensive team in the league and split with Princeton this season. Cornell can also boast a win over the tournament favorites, and by wider margin as well, as the Tigers went to Ithaca and lost to the Big Red 83-68 back in January.

 

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How to Watch the Ivy League Tournament

When: March 16-17

Where: Francis S. Levien Gymnasium (New York, NY)

Format: All teams begin play in the semifinals

Watch: ESPNU & ESPNNews (Semifinals), ESPN 2 (Final)

Ivy League Tournament Bracket

Ivy League Tournament Seeds, Teams and Odds

1. Princeton Tigers +100

2. Yale Bulldogs +180

3. Cornell Big Red +390

4. Brown Bears +1500

Favorite To Win Ivy League Tournament

A year after winning the Ivy League and making a run to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament Princeton is back and favored to cut down the nets in New York once again. The Tigers romped through Ivy League play this season. They went 12-2 SU/7-7 ATS in league play, and have not lost since Feb. 2 when they dropped a road game to Yale. 

Princeton has been sound on both ends of the floor, but it is its offense that makes this machine go. It averaged 116.6 points per 100 possessions against Ivy League opponents. The Tigers play slow, methodical basketball. They averaged just 65.0 possessions per game in league play, but 51.6% of their attempts came from beyond the arc and they shot 36.1% on those shots. Slow pace coupled with both high volume and high efficiency from 3-point range can be deadly, and the Tigers have proven that.

The reigning Ivy League champions get it done on the defensive end as well. Princeton allowed just 101.7 points per 100 possessions to league opponents. Its perimeter defense was the best in the league, limiting opponents to 31.5% from the 3-point line. If the unit had a weakness it would be its interior defense. The Tigers allowed foes to shoot 55.1% inside the arc, and they rank 354th in the country in block rate (4.6%). The lack of a true rim protector – Caden Pierce and Zach Martini are their primary frontcourt players and both stand 6-foot-7 – will likely be a problem in the NCAA Tournament, but in this tournament it can be overcome.

Ivy League Tournament Darkhorse

In a tournament with just four teams it’s hard to find a true darkhorse, so the obvious candidate is the second-likeliest winner: Yale. 

The Bulldogs finished the season just 3-3 SU and ATS, but it has the defense to stymie any opponent. They led the Ivy League in adjusted defensive efficiency (101.3) and they have an astounding interior defense, anchored by 7-foot sophomore, Danny Wolf. Wolf blocked 5.3% of opponent shot attempts when he was on the floor this season. By extension, Yale ranked first in league play in opponent effective field goal percentage (49.7%) and second in shooting percentage allowed inside the arc (49.7%).

Cornell should not be ignored though, as their semifinal matchup against Yale projects to be 1.5-point spread. The Big Red are an elite scoring team inside. They shot 61.9% on attempts inside the arc, and they were the most efficient Ivy League team on offense by effective field goal percentage (57.2%). Cornell also has the size to match Wolf inside with senior Sean Hansen.

Players to Watch in Ivy League Tournament

Princeton boasts two of the best players in the league in Xaivian Lee and Caden Pierce. 

Lee averaged 17.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Tigers. He draws 5.1 fouls per 40 minutes (177th in the country) and shoots 81.5% at the line. Lee is also good enough from distance (35.5%) that he demands respect along the perimeter.

Pierce averaged 16.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game this season. He is one of the best rebounders in the country. KenPom has him 14th in the nation in individual defensive rebounding rate (27.8%). Pierce has the ability to stretch the floor (36.1% on 3-point attempts) while also ranking inside the top 200 nationally in 2-point shooting (60.9%).

Brown might be the longshot to win this tournament, but they have the Ivy League’s leading scorer in Kino Lilly Jr. Lilly averaged 18.4 points per game while also leading the league in 3-pointers made (84) and minutes played.

Danny Wolf is a menacing presence inside for Yale. He nearly averaged a double-double with 14.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. He was 10th in the country in defensive rebounding rate (29.0%) and is the best rim protector in the Ivy League.

Betting Pick to Win Ivy League Tournament

Princeton is going to be the selection here. The Tigers are projected to win their opening game against Brown by double-digits, and they will be favored in the championship game regardless of opponent. Princeton also has the skeleton of the NCAA Tournament team that upset Arizona remaining. This team is tested, and it is playing some incredible basketball right now. The Tigers enter this tournament on a 9-0 SU/5-4 ATS run. That should continue to 11 straight and a second consecutive NCAA Tournament bid.

Makinen Power Ratings For Ivy League

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