Princeton seeks revenge and another deep NCAA Tournament run as it returns two bona fide stars from a team that went 24-5.
After winning five NCAA Tournament games between 2010 and 2016, the Ivy League failed to win a game at the sport’s premier postseason event from 2017 through 2022. Over the past two seasons, though, Princeton and Yale have gotten the league back on track with three victories. Two years ago, it was the Tigers knocking off Arizona and Missouri to earn the league’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 2010. Then, Yale’s John Poulakidas unleashed a 28-point barrage in an upset of Auburn this past year.
Could the Ivy win in the Big Dance for the third straight year? The league has never accomplished such a feat, but the talent could be there to do it this season.
- Heat Check CBB ’24-25 season preview coverage
- Subscribe to HC+ today for exclusive content
- Follow @HeatCheckCBB on X
Namely, Princeton returns one of the best 1-2 punches in the country with lead guard Xaivian Lee and reigning Ivy League Player of the Year Caden Pierce. Yale also still brings back the aforementioned Poulakidas as well as their talented two-way point guard Bez Mbeng. While those more traditional Ivy powers loom at the top, the league is deep with talent. Brown brings back plenty, Cornell should still deploy a unique style even with a coaching change, and Penn added a major transfer influx.
It should be a fun season in the Ivy.
Projected order of finish
1. Princeton Tigers
It feels like a potential perfect storm for Princeton in 2024-25. The Tigers should be one of the country’s top mid-majors, with two bona fide stars hungry to earn the NCAA Tournament bid they missed last year. Five projected contributors played roles on the 2023 Sweet 16 team, so this team knows how to win in the postseason. If they get back to the dance, the Tigers will be a threat to don the slipper again.
Leading the way is the reigning Ivy League POTY, junior forward Caden Pierce (16.6 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 3.2 apg). If anyone can steal the award away this year, it might be fellow junior Xaivian Lee. An electrifying guard, Lee led Princeton in both scoring (17.1 ppg) and distributing (3.7 apg) last season. If his upward trajectory continues, it could be his last year in Jersey.
True sophomore Dalen Davis (6.6 ppg, 36.9 3P%, 31 3PM) should slide into a larger role after proving a consistent rotational piece and strong shooter. Blake Peters (7.8 ppg), who started all 29 games last season, is also back. His outside shot dipped last year (32.2 3P%), but it was a key factor in the Tigers’ Sweet 16 run (39.7 3P% in ’22-23).
Perhaps the hidden gem for Princeton is 6-6 guard Deven Austin. After losing all of last season to injury, Austin adds valuable size to an otherwise smallish backcourt. He could follow the path forged by fellow 2022 recruits Pierce and Lee and break out in his second season.
Princeton doesn’t use its bench much, but Jack Scott (12.2 mpg) was an underrated recruiting win after his brief commitment to William & Mary over the offseason. And remember this name: Malik Abdullahi. It’s only a matter of time before the 6-7 freshman makes an impact.
Log in to your HC+ account or sign up now to view this content.