Men's Basketball

Penn Tabbed Men’s Basketball Favorite in Tight Preseason Poll

PRINCETON, N.J. – Just five points separated the top three teams in the Ivy League Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll. Penn edged Princeton by one point in the poll to earn the distinction of preseason favorite for the first time since the 2006-07 season.
 
The Quakers garnered 111 points, while the Tigers sat at 110. Yale, which claimed the Ivy Madness trophy last season, was in third place with 106 points.
 
Penn returns junior guard Jordan Dingle, a unanimous All-Ivy First Team selection last season. The Valley Stream, N.Y., native led the league in scoring with an average of 20.9 points – a mark which ranked 12th nationally. In addition to bringing back Dingle, the Quakers return their top four scorers.
 
Princeton senior forward Tosan Evbuomwan, the unanimous selection for Ivy League Player of the Year, looks to lead the Tigers back to another Ivy title. The 6-8 forward led the league in assists per game with an average of 5.1, which ranked second nationally amongst big men.
 
Last season’s Ivy representative in the NCAA tournament, Yale, will look to fill the void of losing all-Ivy selections Azar Swain and Jalen Gabbidon from their back court. Current junior forward Matt Knowling showed some upside, as he owned the third best shooting percentage during league play at 61.9 percent.
 
Harvard was picked fourth in the poll with 86 points. The Crimson return forwards Chris Ledlum and Luka Sakota, both of whom averaged double figures in scoring last season.
 
Cornell, which ranked 17th nationally in scoring offense last season with 79.2 points per game, was selected to finish fifth with 54 points. The Big Red topped Brown by one point. Dartmouth (31 points) and Columbia (25) rounded out the poll.
 
The Ivy League season tips off with all eight schools playing on Monday, Nov. 7. League play is set to commence on Saturday, Dec. 31.
 
2022-23 Ivy League Men’s Basketball Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
1. Penn – 111 (6)
2. Princeton – 110 (6)
3. Yale – 106 (3)
4. Harvard – 86 (1)
5. Cornell – 54
6. Brown – 53
7. Dartmouth – 31
8. Columbia – 25