NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Coming off another memorable season, the Yale men's basketball team has been picked to finish third in the Ivy League, according to the league's official preseason media poll released on Monday afternoon. The poll was voted on by media members who cover the league, including both national and regional outlets.
Reigning Ivy League Tournament champion Penn led the way with 157 points and 11 first-place votes. Harvard followed in second with 146 points and seven first-place votes, while Yale placed third with 133 points and two first-place votes. Princeton rounded out the top four with 97 points and one first-place vote. Cornell was fifth with 82 points, followed by Columbia (69), Brown (42), and Dartmouth (30).
The Bulldogs capped the 2025-26 season with a 24-6 overall record, the most wins in program history during the modern era, and an 11-3 mark in Ivy League play to claim their second consecutive Ivy League title. Yale also made its third appearance in the NIT, hosting a tournament game at John J. Lee Amphitheater for the first time.
Under the direction of
James Jones, the Joel E. Smilow '54 Head Coach, Yale has won eight Ivy League championships and four Ivy League Tournament titles. Additionally, he has guided the Bulldogs to five NCAA Tournament berths and 10 postseason appearances. Yale has also won at least 10 Ivy League games 11 times during his tenure and has finished in fourth place or better in the league for a remarkable 25 consecutive years.
Yale will be led by captain
Trevor Mullin, who is coming off a breakout season that earned him Ivy Madness All-Tournament Team honors. Mullin played in all 31 games for the Bulldogs, leading the team with 60 three-pointers while ranking third in assists (85) and points per game (11.5). The Bulldogs also welcome a talented group of six newcomers, five first-years and one transfer, who will look to make an immediate impact. Yale returns nine players as well, including
Riley Fox and
Jordan Brathwaite, who tied for second on the team last season with 45 three-pointers apiece.
The Bulldogs will begin the 2026-27 season at home on Monday, Nov. 2 against Howard. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.
2026 Ivy League Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Penn - 157 (11 first-place votes)
2. Harvard - 146 (7 first-place votes)
3. Yale - 133 (2 first-place votes)
4. Princeton - 97 (1 first-place vote)
5. Cornell - 82
6. Columbia - 69
7. Brown - 42
8. Dartmouth - 30
