Busting Brackets
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Ivy League Basketball: 2018 Conference Tournament preview

By Tristan Freeman

LEXINGTON, KY - DECEMBER 02: Tommy Amaker, head coach of the Harvard Crimson, watches from the bench during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Harvard Crimson at Rupp Arena on December 2, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - DECEMBER 02: Tommy Amaker, head coach of the Harvard Crimson, watches from the bench during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Harvard Crimson at Rupp Arena on December 2, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 02: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 02: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander /

Key Players for the Ivy Tournament

SO Matt Morgan – Cornell

2017-18 stats: 22.6 ppg 4.7 rpg 3.2 apg

If I had a vote for who should’ve won the Ivy League’s Player of the Year, it would have gone to Morgan. He took a Big Red team that was at the bottom a year ago in the standings to now in their first conference tournament.

He averages five more ppg than the next player, including four games of at least 28 points in conference play. With only two games needed to win, don’t discount a big performance from him this weekend.

JR Stone Gettings – Cornell

2017-18 stats: 16.9 ppg 6.7 rpg 2.9 apg

While Morgan has received a ton of credit, don’t forget the junior post player who has provided the balance needed for him to operate. Gettings has improved each year and might be the best frontcourt player (at least offensively) in the Ivy League.

SO Miye Oni – Yale

2017-18 stats: 15.5 ppg 6.1 rpg 3.7 apg

After losing two starters for the season, Oni had to carry an even bigger load this season. And while his efficiency expectedly took a dip, Oni’s contributions have kept Yale in the top-four of the standings.

SO AJ Brodeur – Penn

2017-18 stats: 12.6 ppg 7.0 rpg 2.7 apg

It’s actually a good thing that his numbers have slightly dipped from his freshman year. That’s because of the elevated play of his teammates, particularly the team’s leading scorer Ryan Betley. But make no mistake, this forward is the key to a Quaker’s title this weekend.

SO Seth Towns – Harvard

2017-18 stats: 15.8 ppg 5.4 rpg 1.9 apg

The 2017-18 Ivy League Player of the Year, Towns has made a solid jump from his first year. He had six games of 20+ points in conference play, including 30 and 31 points in back-to-back road games.