CBB Review prepares you for every conference tournament leading up to Selection Sunday on Mar. 15. Up next: The Ivy League Tournament.
Every year, the Ivy League Tournament produces a team that becomes a popular pick to pull off a first round upset. Yale looks like the best bet this year, with CBB Review Player of the Year, Nick Townsend. The high-scoring, high-rebounding, high-playmaking forward is hands down the most talented player in the Ivy, and is looking to put the Bulldogs on his back.
But you can’t rule out any of the other three teams in the Ivy League Tournament. Harvard has guard Robert Hinton, who is just a sophomore, but is already tracking to be the Player of the Year next season. Penn has forwards TJ Power and Ethan Roberts, which can be a matchup nightmare. They’re also coached by Fran McCaffery, so that should tell you how tough of a team to play against they are. And then there’s Cornell, with Ivy League leading scorer Cooper Noard and close behind him, Jake Fiegen. They’ll light up the scoreboard, so you better bring your defense.
Only the top four teams make the Ivy League Tournament, but that’s all that’s needed as after a full regular season, they should bring the best to Ithaca.
2026 Ivy League Awards
Player of the Year: Nick Townsend, Yale
Freshman of the Year: Connor Igoe, Columbia
Coach of the Year: Fran McCaffery, Penn
First Team:
- G: Cooper Noard, Cornell (18.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 51.1 FG%, 39.1 3P%)
- G: Robert Hinton, Harvard (17.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, 50.0 FG%)
- F: Ethan Roberts, Penn (16.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 40.4 3P%)
- F: Nick Townsend, Yale (16.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.0 SPG, 50.9 FG%, 48.3 3P%)
- F: TJ Power, Penn (15.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 42.9 3P%)
Second Team:
- G: Jake Fiegen, Cornell (16.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, 54.3 FG%, 40.8 3P%)
- G: Kenny Noland, Columbia (17.1 PPG, 3.7 APG, 3.4 RPG, 1.4 SPG, 37.5 3P%)
- G: Jackson Hicks, Princeton (15.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, 39.8 3P%)
- F: Isaac Celiscar, Yale (12.2 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.1 APG, 56.4 FG%)
- F: Landon Lewis, Brown (16.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.0 SPG, 55.1 FG%)
2026 Ivy League Tournament Simulation
Semifinals – Saturday, Mar. 14
1. Yale (23-5, 11-3) vs. 4. Cornell (15-12, 8-6) – 11 a.m. on ESPNU
Yale blew out Cornell at home by 34 points, but on Feb. 27, they lost to the Big Red. But it had more to do with a tough day from the field for Yale than anything else, only scoring 69 points. That won’t happen this time around, but don’t be surprised if Yale needs to put up 75-80 to feel comfortable about getting the win.
Mat’s pick: 1. Yale
2. Harvard (17-11, 10-4) vs. 3. Penn (16-11, 9-5) – 2 p.m. on ESPNews
If you’re Yale, I’m sure you’d probably rather play Penn, who you beat twice, once comfortably. If it’s Harvard? A real chance at a down-to-the-wire game, as they split, with Yale needing overtime. But in this game, I’m looking at a Fran McCaffery-coached Penn team that’s won seven of its last eight games.
Mat’s pick: 3. Penn
Championship – Sunday, Mar. 15
1. Yale vs. 3. Penn – Noon on ESPN2
I love what Fran McCaffery has done with this Penn team, but a James Jones-coached Yale team will also be ready for a tough Ivy League Tournament Championship. And I can’t go against Nick Townsend, who is one of the most decorated players in program history. With that being said, it’s still a tough matchup, and I think Penn’s forward play can be the difference and win them the automatic bid.
Mat’s pick: 3. Penn