Yale Bulldogs
Ivy League (22-7, 10-4)
The last time we saw Yale in the NCAA Tournament they beat Baylor in the first round before pushing Duke to the wire with a trip to the Sweet Sixteen on the line. This group has had similar success so far and will look to continue it in the NCAA Tournament.
Big Wins: 12/1 vs Miami FL (77-73), 2/9 Penn (78-65), 3/17 vs Harvard (97-85)
Bad Losses: 11/21 at Vermont (70-79), 3/2 Columbia (75-83), 3/8 at Penn (66-77)
Coach: James Jones
Why They Can Surprise:
This is a solid Bulldogs team all around. They share the ball effectively and that has led to plenty of open looks at the basket. And this team normally knocks down their open looks. Alex Copeland, Blake Reynolds, Jordan Bruner and Paul Atkinson all shoot over 50 percent from the floor. Atkinson, who hits 69.6 percent of his shots, is the only one who is not capable of stepping outside and hitting some three-pointers. Bruner, a 6-9 junior, averages 10.2 points and 8.3 rebounds and is a big reason why Yale is so effective on the glass. He gets help from Reynolds, Atkinson and Miye Oni. Oni is a big 6-6 guard who leads the team with 17.6 points per game and adds 6.3 rebounds.
Why They Can Disappoint:
While Yale has been very effective shooting the ball, they do not look for three-pointers too often. Oni is the most prolific shooter and there are certainly others who are capable of shooting the ball, but they would rather get an easier shot in the paint. For a team that does not create many turnovers as well, they can struggle to put easy points on the board. If the opposition can contain Yale’s half-court offense, the Bulldogs can have small scoring droughts that will be a big problem in the NCAA Tournament.
Probable Starters:
Alex Copeland, Senior, Guard, 13.8 ppg, 3.4 apg
Miye Oni, Junior, Guard, 17.6 ppg, 3.5 apg, 6.3 rpg, 1.3 bpg
Trey Phills, Senior, Guard, 7.1 ppg, 1.8 apg
Blake Reynolds, Senior, Forward, 11.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg
Jordan Bruner, Junior, Forward, 10.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.6 bpg
Key Role Players:
Paul Atkinson, Sophomore, Forward, 9.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg
Azar Swain, Sophomore, Guard, 7.7 ppg, 1.1 apg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 80.5 (29th in nation, 1st in conference)
Scoring Defense: 72.6 (217, 7)
Field-Goal Percentage: 49.4 (10, 1)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.8 (35, 1)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.9 (160, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.2 (52, 2)
Free-Throw Percentage: 71.6 (144, 4)
Rebound Margin: 5.0 (33, 1)
Assists Per Game: 17.3 (9, 1)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.6 (245, 6)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
| 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 3/10
