The Ivy League made a splash in the NCAA Tournament last season, sending two teams to March Madness. Princeton secured an automatic bid by winning their fifth consecutive Ivy League conference tournament, while Columbia earned an at-large bid, facing Vanderbilt in the First Four. This marked Columbia’s first-ever appearance in March Madness and the second time in history (2016) that the Ivy League sent multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament. Now, the question arises: could the Ivy League potentially have three teams vying for a spot in the Dance this year?
Currently, Harvard is projected as a No. 10 seed, with Columbia and Princeton close behind as No. 11 seeds. All three schools rank in the top 50 of the NET rankings, playing a crucial role in shaping the bubble conversation as the season progresses. In conference play, these three Ivy League teams have maintained a perfect record against their conference rivals, showcasing their dominance in the league.
In comparison, other mid-major conferences with realistic at-large hopes like the Atlantic 10 have seen some teams falter with bad losses. While Richmond remains strong, teams like George Mason and St. Joseph’s have stumbled recently, making their upcoming matchups pivotal in determining their tournament fate. Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton, on the other hand, have managed to steer clear of such pitfalls, making a strong case for deserving multiple bids from the Ivy League.
Harvard has notable wins over Indiana (Quad-1) and St. John’s (Quad-2), positioning them favorably for a successful conference tournament run. Columbia boasts victories against formidable mid-major opponents like Florida Gulf Coast and Ball State, but a narrow loss to Villanova has left them on the bubble. Princeton holds the most Quad-2 and Quad-3 wins among the trio but lacks a Quad-1 victory and suffered a Quad-4 loss to Duquesne, keeping their postseason hopes in the balance.
While the likelihood of three Ivy League teams securing bids remains uncertain, the dream is alive as Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton continue their impressive seasons. The unique dynamics of this year’s bubble, coupled with the teams’ performances, make the race for NCAA Tournament berths an intriguing one to watch. As the regular season winds down, it will be exciting to see how these Ivy League contenders navigate their paths to the finish line and potentially make history in the upcoming tournament.