Yale Bulldogs
Ivy League (23-7, 11-3)
Yale has had some recent success in the NCAA Tournament. In 2016 they reappeared in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1962. And they upset Baylor in the first round. Last season the Bulldogs found themselves in the big dance again and this time they nearly upset LSU. This time around Yale has the tools to give another high seeded team a run for their money.
Big Wins: 11/20 Siena (100-89), 12/1 Vermont (65-52), 12/22 at Clemson (54-45)
Bad Losses: 12/30 at North Carolina (67-70), 2/7 Harvard (77-78), 2/15 at Penn (61-69)
Coach: James Jones
Why They Can Surprise:
This is a Yale team that will play tough defense. The opposition shoots just 39.7 percent from the floor and if the Bulldogs can make it difficult for the opposition to score too many easy buckets, they will give themselves an opportunity to shoot their way to victory. And this team can shoot. Paul Atkinson is one of the most efficient shooters in the country, hitting 63.0 percent of his shots. The 6-10 junior averages 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds. Atkinson does the work in the paint, but his frontcourt mate Jordan Bruner is one of the most versatile players in the country. The 6-9 senior averages 10.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.7 blocks. Bruner can stretch the defense, but it is Azar Swain who does most of the shooting on this team. The guard averages 16.0 points and hits 38.7 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Yale can compete with just about anybody on the glass, but they could lose possessions in the turnover battle. On the year the Bulldogs have a negative turnover margin and that could become a huge problem in the NCAA Tournament. This is not a Yale team that can afford to give away easy buckets. The offense has the firepower to do some very good things, but that likely will not be enough to pull off a big upset.
Probable Starters:
Eric Monroe, Senior, Guard, 7.2 ppg, 4.3 apg
Azar Swain, Junior, Guard, 16.0 ppg, 1.7 apg, 4.0 rpg
Jalen Gabbidon, Junior, Guard, 5.9 ppg, 1.3 apg
Jordan Bruner, Senior, Forward, 10.9 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.7 bpg
Paul Atkinson, Junior, Forward, 17.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg
Key Role Players:
Wyatt Yess, Junior, Forward, 2.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg
Matthue Cotton, Sophomore, Guard, 7.6 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 76.3 (46th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 65.1 (55, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 71.2 (164, 4)
Field-Goal Defense: 39.7 (24, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 8.8 (42, 2)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.1 (26, 1)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.2 (164, 4)
Rebound Margin: 6.8 (16, 1)
Assists Per Game: 15.5 (23, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.0 (163, 6)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 2019 | NCAA | Round of 64 loss to LSU |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 64 win over Baylor |
| 2016 | NCAA | Round of 32 loss to Duke |
| 2014 | CIT | First Round win over Quinnipiac |
| 2014 | CIT | Second Round win over Holy Cross |
| 2014 | CIT | Quarterfinal win over Columbia |
| 2014 | CIT | Semifinal win over VMI |
| 2014 | CIT | Final loss to Murray State |
| 2012 | CIT | First Round loss to Fairfield |
*all team stats through 3/8
