Ivy League Basketball: Predicting the standings for the 2017-18 season

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: The Princeton Tigers hoist the championship trophy after the win against the Yale Bulldogs in the Ivy League tournament final at The Palestra on March 12, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Princeton won 71-59. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

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PROVIDENCE, RI – MARCH 19: Makai Mason /

1. Yale Bulldogs

2016-17 result: 18-11 (9-5) – No postseason

The Yale Bulldogs have had to deal with some difficult situations as of late. First, the team had to deal with their best player and conference preseason Player of the Year Makai Mason being out for the year right before the season starts.

Then, during the season, the team captain Jack Montague was suspended and ultimately expelled from Yale due to sexual assault allegations. The drama stayed with both the team and the school all year. Still, the team ended up in third place in the standings.

A bright spot was the discovery of Miye Oni, who in his freshman year averaged close to 13 points and six rebounds. His ability to score in high volumes was an aspect of his game that surprised many last year.

Not only will James Jones, the head coach at Yale since 1999, have back Mason and Oni, but Alex Copeland will also return. Having another 16 points and four assists per game coming back to a team will always be welcomed.

Next: Ivy League stars of 2017-18

Due to Ivy League scholarship rules, this will be Mason’s last season with the Bulldogs. But with Harvard’s youth and Princeton’s loss of talent, this could be the storybook ending to his career at Yale.