The Ivy League's Quest for Three NCAA Tournament Bids
An exploration of the potential for the Ivy League to receive three bids in the NCAA Tournament, examining the cases of Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton.
Last season, the Ivy League sent two teams to the NCAA Tournament. Princeton secured an automatic bid by winning its fifth consecutive Ivy League conference tournament, while Columbia received an at-large bid, facing Vanderbilt in the First Four.
It marked Columbia’s inaugural March Madness appearance and the second instance (2016) of the Ivy League dispatching multiple teams to the NCAA Tournament.
But could the League surpass expectations and send three teams this season?
Current projections place Harvard as a No. 10 seed alongside Columbia and Princeton, both anticipating No. 11 seeds. Each of these schools ranks within the top 50 on the NET rankings, significantly influencing the bubble conversation as the season progresses.
For mid-major at-large candidates, avoiding detrimental losses is crucial. The Ivy League trio is exemplifying this principle; all three remain undefeated in conference play.
Contrasting them with the Atlantic 10, another mid-major conference with multiple hopefuls, it was observed that while Richmond remains strong, both George Mason and St. Joseph’s incurred disappointing losses recently, making their scheduled matchup an elimination contest.
Harvard, amid its competitive standing, has triumphed in significant road games against Indiana (Quad-1) and St. John’s (Quad-2).
If the Crimson can maintain momentum by sweeping the Ivy League, including securing a home victory against Princeton, they’re likely to enter the conference tournament in solid standing.
Columbia showcased strong performances against notable mid-majors like Florida Gulf Coast and Ball State, suffering no defeats outside of Quads 1-2, although their chances faded following a narrow loss to Villanova.
Princeton, while maintaining three Quad-2 wins and four Quad-3 wins, lacks a significant Quad-1 victory and has recorded the only Quad-4 loss amongst the three teams.
In conclusion, while two bids seem more realistic, the aspiration for three remain vibrant as Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton continue to excel in their respective seasons, benefitting from a weaker bubble overall.
