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Ivy League Basketball power rankings: Close battle at top between Yale and Harvard

By Donovan Darlington

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 11: Head coach Steve Donahue of the Pennsylvania Quakers shows the net to the crowd after the win at The Palestra on March 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn defeated Harvard 68-65 for the Men's Ivy League Tournament Championship title. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 11: Head coach Steve Donahue of the Pennsylvania Quakers shows the net to the crowd after the win at The Palestra on March 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Penn defeated Harvard 68-65 for the Men's Ivy League Tournament Championship title. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 30: Jordan Bruner #23 of the Yale Bulldogs (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 30: Jordan Bruner #23 of the Yale Bulldogs (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

2. Yale

Record: 20-6 (8-2 Ivy League)

The Yale Bulldogs currently sit at 1st in the conference; however, they are 2nd in the power rankings due to a loss to Penn back on Feb. 15th. In addition to that loss, the loss against Harvard in the first meeting between the two gives Harvard the slight edge going forward. Still, Yale should be recognized for the great things they have done this year. They may even still be a threat on the national level.

Given the circumstances in which last season ended for Yale, with the graduation of their star, Miye Oni, some Ivy League Basketball analysts are rather surprised by how high of a level Yale has been able to play. In the preseason Ivy League power rankings, they were ranked 3rd, behind only Penn and Harvard.

Yale’s great play this season is due to a rotation that consists of a few guys that consistently play well offensively, and guys that provide solid depth and get the job done when called upon. The front court is where Yale deals the most damage, but the backcourt allows Yale to stretch its opponents because of the large number of guys that greatly contribute.

Junior forward, Paul Atkinson, and Senior Forward, Jordan Bruner, average 17.5 and 11.3 ppg, respectively. Atkinson grabs 7.5 rpg while Bruner picks up 9.1 rpg. They are a dominating force on the inside and are much of the reason Yale can muscle its opponents.

The deep Yale backcourt is led by Junior, Azar Swain. He is second on the team in scoring, averaging 16.8 ppg. A dominant three consisting of Swain, Atkinson, and Bruner, when accompanied by great play from the guys that make up Yale’s depth, can go a long way to help them win the Ivy League Basketball Tournament and advance to the NCAA Tournament once again.

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