Yale basketball: 2017-18 preview for the Bulldogs

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PROVIDENCE, RI – MARCH 19: Head coach James Jones of the Yale Bulldogs directs his team during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Dunkin’ Donuts Center on March 19, 2016 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Expectations for the season

Regardless of what happens this season, Yale has cemented themselves in the upper echelon of the Ivy. Even after Mason leaves, there’s more than enough coming back to make another run.

But this season means something for the Bulldogs. They were swept by the two teams who finished ahead of them, and surely they want revenge. While each team lost key players, neither the Tigers nor Princeton brings back a player of Mason’s caliber. Add to it a quality frontline, experienced upperclassmen, and a potential NBA prospect, and Yale has all the pieces to win the Ivy in the regular season.

One thing Yale must improve on is their defense. It was by no means awful, but Harvard and Princeton were head and shoulders better than the other team’s when it comes to getting stops. The Bulldogs offense will have issues against those two teams, so their own defense will have to get consistent stops of their own.

Next: 2017-18 Ivy League predictions

Right now there’s very little separating these three teams. You can make a case for all three winning the Ivy, but it will come down to whoever wins the final two games in the conference tournament. If you have to choose, it has to go to the team who regains the best player in the League. What better farewell for Mason than holding up the trophy and going back to the NCAA Tournament. If they get there, don’t be surprised if they have another run in them.