Men's Basketball: Around The Ivies

HARVARD

Harvard is the unanimous favorite to win the Ivy League. Junior co-captain Siyani Chambers and reigning Ivy League Player of the Year Wesley Saunders are no longer stars—they are superstars. The dynamic backcourt is one of the most dangerous in the nation, and the return of senior center Kenyatta Smith will bring size to an already-loaded frontcourt. Ranked No. 25 in the AP preseason poll, the Crimson will surprise nobody this year as it looks poised to make a fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Player To Watch: Siyani Chambers, junior guard

Chambers is the team’s steadiest ballhandler on the floor and will take on a larger scoring role this year.

BROWN

After losing Sean McGonagill, the team’s starting point guard  and leading scorer at 17.4 points per game last year, Brown will rely on its stout defense in 2014-2015. Reigning conference defensive player of the year Cedric Kuakumensah anchors a tough, gritty Brown squad that will have a hard time creating offense without McGonagill running the point.

Player To Watch: Leland King, sophomore forward

For Brown to move into the league’s top half, King must build upon a noteworthy first season.

COLUMBIA

Only a couple of months ago, Columbia was the consensus sleeper pick to win the Ivy League. The Lions had all of the assets to make a run, with marksmen on the perimeters and size in the frontcourt. But things changed rapidly for Columbia when first-team All-Ivy senior forward Alex Rosenberg withdrew from school after injury, putting the Lions’ conference title hopes on hold for now.

Player To Watch: Maodo Lo, junior guard

With Rosenberg sidelined, Lo will need to take on leading scorer responsibilities for the Lions.

CORNELL

After going 2-26 last year and seeing leading scorer Nolan Cressler (16.8 ppg) transfer to Vanderbilt, there wasn’t much to be smiling about at the end of the season for Cornell. Nonetheless, there is a glimmer of hope for the Big Red: Shonn Miller. Miller missed the 2013-2014 season, but the senior forward and former first team All-Ivy selection can stuff the stat sheet (11.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.9 spg, 1.9 bpg in 2012-2013).

Player To Watch: Shonn Miller, senior forward

After a year off, the senior forward will do it all for the Big Red in 2014-2015.

DARTMOUTH

The return of three of last years’ four top scorers, including its leader, junior guard Alex Mitola, should provide some offensive balance for Dartmouth. Last season, Mitola torched Cornell for 33 points and went eight-for-nine from beyond the arc. Junior  Malik Gill is the other half of this speedy, feisty backcourt.

Player To Watch: Gabas Maldunas, senior forward

Maldunas comes back from injury as the centerpiece of Dartmouth’s dark horse conference title hopes.

PENN

There isn’t much about this Penn team that is reminiscent of a year ago. In fact, eight players from last year’s roster are no longer with the Quakers and six freshmen have joined the squad. Both of its senior captains, Cam Crocker and Patrick Lucas-Perry, were non-factors last season after suffering leg injuries that kept them off the court. As a result, a young Penn team has an opportunity to forge an entirely new identity in Philadelphia.

Player To Watch: Tony Hicks, junior guard

With the departure of Miles Cartwright, Hicks will need to be a leader for this young Penn squad.

PRINCETON

It seems that every year, Princeton loses another star player. After the graduation of star forward Ian Hummer two years ago, the Tigers suffered the biggest loss in the Ivy League this year with the departure of guard T.J. Bray. The unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection from last year did everything for the Tigers, meaning that Princeton’s success this year will hinge on being able to replace his production.

Player To Watch: Spencer Weicz, senior guard

The Tigers have a large void to fill with Bray’s departure, making Weisz a smart breakout candidate.

YALE

The Bulldogs boast arguably the best big man in the Ancient Eight in sophomore forward Justin Sears. Sears, a first-team All-Ivy selection, led the Bulldogs in scoring with 16.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last year. Those numbers should only go up. Yale will return seven of its top eight scorers, including captain Greg Kelley, who can spread the floor with his three-point shooting ability.

Player To Watch: Justin Sears, junior forward

A year after bursting onto the scene, Sears should be a strong contender for Ivy League Player of the Year.