NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Coming off a historic season, the Yale men's basketball team has been unanimously picked to finish first in the Ivy League, according to the league's official preseason media poll released Thursday afternoon. The poll was voted on by media members who cover the league, including both national and regional outlets.
 
Yale led the way with 168 points and earned all 21 first-place votes. Harvard followed in second with 126 points, just ahead of Cornell in third with 124. Princeton was fourth with 97 points, and Dartmouth placed fifth with 72. Brown (68), Penn (66), and Columbia (35) rounded out the poll results.
 
The Bulldogs had a memorable 2024-25 season, finishing with an impressive 22-8 overall record, and a dominant 13-1 mark in Ivy League action. Yale went undefeated at home with a perfect 11-0 record and secured their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in five years with a win over Cornell in the Ivy League Tournament Championship.
 
Under the direction of James Jones, the Joel E. Smilow '54 Head Coach, Yale has won seven Ivy League championships and four Ivy League Tournament titles. Additionally, he has guided the Bulldogs to five NCAA Tournament berths and nine postseason appearances. Yale has also won at least 10 Ivy League games 10 times during his tenure and has finished in fourth place or better in the league for a remarkable 24 consecutive years.
 
Yale will be led by captain Nick Townsend, coming off a stellar season that earned him First Team All-Ivy honors. Townsend was named to the Field of 68 Mid-Major Preseason All-American First Team and led the league last year with seven double-doubles. He also averaged 15.4 points per game, scored in double figures in 27 games, and led the team in rebounds with 7.1 per game.
 
The Bulldogs will begin their 2025-26 season at the Veterans Classic against host Navy on Friday, Nov. 7, at 8:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. The classic is held annually around Veterans Day to honor our nation's veterans and showcase the U.S. Naval Academy.
 
 
2025-26 Ivy League Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)

1. Yale – 168 (21)
2. Harvard – 126
3. Cornell 124
4. Princeton – 97
5. Dartmouth – 72
6. Brown – 68
7. Penn – 66
8. Columbia - 35