The Ivy League has gotten two NCAA Tournament bids in each of the last two seasons, but this season, an unprecedented three-bid Ivy is possible.
Columbia, Princeton and Harvard all had incredible regular seasons, and most importantly, didn’t take any losses outside of the top three in the conference. Thirty games against the five teams in the bottom of the league, zero losses.
But the bubble could be unkind, and nothing is guaranteed until Selection Sunday, so winning Ivy Madness is still paramount.
Schedule
All games played at Pizzitola Sports Center, Providence, R.I.
Semifinals | Friday, March 14 | ESPN+
Game 1: No. 1 Columbia vs No. 4 Penn | 4:30 p.m.
Game 2: No. 2 Princeton vs No. 3 Harvard | 7:30 p.m.
Championship Game | Saturday, March 15 | ESPNU
Game 3: Game 1 Winner vs Game 2 Winner | 5:30 p.m.
1. Columbia (13-1 Ivy, 22-5 overall)
In Ivy League play, Columbia rebounded 47% of its own misses and forced turnovers on 29% of opposing possessions. That alone would be enough to have a good team, but it also finished with the second-best effective field goal percentage offense in the conference and second-best defensive rebounding rate. The trio of Riley Weiss, Cecelia Collins and Kitty Henderson is as good as there is in the mid-major scene.
2. Princeton (12-2 Ivy, 21-6 overall)
The Tigers lost star Madison St. Rose for the season all the way back in November, but three sophomores have stepped up to carry the load and lead Princeton to the precipice of another tournament bid. Skye Belker, Ashley Chea and Fadima Tall are all excellent.
3. Harvard (11-3 Ivy, 22-4 overall)
Harvard caught national attention in November with a win over Indiana and continued to impress throughout the season, finishing with just four losses. The Crimson are led by superstar senior Harmoni Turner, who averaged 21.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, but it’s Harvard’s Ivy-topping defense that has catapulted it above expectations this season.
4. Penn (6-8 Ivy, 15-12 overall)
With all due respect to the Quakers, they in this field are that dragon meme. You know the one. If Penn, who went 6-2 against teams not named Harvard, Columbia or Princeton, can pull off an upset, it would shake the scene of the Ivy League at the last possible minute.
