Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: 13 most pleasant surprises of the early season

By Lukas Harkins

DAYTON, OHIO - DECEMBER 17: Obi Toppin #1 and Jalen Crutcher #10 of the Dayton Flyers chat during the game against the North Texas Mean Green during the second half at UD Arena on December 17, 2019 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OHIO - DECEMBER 17: Obi Toppin #1 and Jalen Crutcher #10 of the Dayton Flyers chat during the game against the North Texas Mean Green during the second half at UD Arena on December 17, 2019 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: Swain of Yale takes a shot. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 21: Swain of Yale takes a shot. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Yale Bulldogs (10-4)

Harvard entered this season as the clear favorite to win the Ivy League while Penn settled in just behind. Yet, through the opening stretch of this season, it appears as though Yale might actually be the best team in the conference. The Bulldogs might only hold a 10-4 record but that is remarkably impressive considering they have already played nine true road games (two more at neutral-sites).

As a result of their high-level performances throughout the year against a Top 50 schedule, Yale has climbed from a preseason KenPom ranking of No. 146 all the way to No. 70.

Yale’s defense, more than anything, has been the reason for its success so far this season. Even though the Bulldogs rarely force turnovers, they bait teams into difficult shots and are consistently able to end possessions by clearing the defensive glass. They are highly-disciplined on the defensive end of the floor and they can definitely frustrate opponents by cutting off lanes (both driving and passing) and boxing out on shot attempts.

On the offensive end of the floor, Yale values ball-movement to create the best possible look on each possession, especially when that attempt comes from beyond the arc. To this point in the year, the Bulldogs are recording assists on 60.1% of their total made baskets and rank in the Top 100 in both 3PAr and 3P%.

A junior duo of Paul Atkinson (16.6p/7.2r) and Azar Swain (15.6p/4.1r) is leading the team in scoring so far this season but Jordan Bruner is also exceptionally important. Bruner, a 6-foot-9 senior, is averaging 12.3 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game as an all-around contributor.

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