The 2025-26 Ivy women’s basketball season tips off Friday, so it’s time for Ivy Hoops Online’s preseason poll – not to be confused with the Ivy League-released media preseason poll. Here’s how our contributors collectively predict the league will shake out, with select observations from some of them:
Q&A with Princeton women’s basketball coach Carla Berube
Princeton women’s basketball coach Carla Berube joins Ivy Hoops Online contributor Steve Silverman for an in-depth reflection on her program heading into the 2025-26 campaign, going over how Madison St. Rose looks coming back from injury, the Tigers’ standout Class of 2027, how the team’s offensive attack will be different this season, Princeton’s difficulty of mining the transfer portal, the team’s loaded nonconference schedule and much more:
Kent: Why Ivy League men’s media day was another lost opportunity for the conference
If you were one of the 46 people tuned into the Ivy League’s men’s media day hosted by the Field of 68 and Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman Tuesday, then you learned a lot on certain topics.
You know the difference between Boston and Cambridge. You are schooled in the athletic prowess of Goodman. You have a good feel about 2K games. You certainly know who the best dunkers are on most of the teams. You might be able to bet on Mitch Henderson winning a one-on-one basketball game. You were told that James Jones was once a great card player and was known as the professor. You even heard about a guard at The Palestra.
Yale men’s basketball remains the team to beat
When a team loses arguably two of the top 10 players in its basketball history in John Poulakidas and Bez Mbeng, it is tough to believe that it would be the overwhelming favorite to win the Ivy League.
But don’t tell that to James Jones. You see, Yale merely reloads each season.
John Poulakidas waived by Clippers, putting NBA dream on hold
John Poulakidas is back on the market. The Los Angeles Clippers are moving on from the former Yale sharpshooter after signing him to an Exhibit 10 contract just last month. According to multiple outlets, Poulakidas’ roster spot in L.A. is set to be filled by former Kentucky Wildcat TyTy Washington Jr.
Despite not being picked in the 2025 NBA Draft, Poulakidas suited up for the Clippers’ Summer League squad but was never able to find his groove. He finished 3-for-23 from the field and 1-for-15 from three-point range in five games. Back in May, Poulakidas was one of 45 college players invited to the NBA G League Elite Camp.
Media Day transfer portal: The Field of 68 recruited to the starting lineup, other reporters sent to the stands
Over the past several years, the Ivy League hosted separate media days for the women and men’s basketball programs. This year, however, the Ancient Eight is trying something new by partnering with The Field of 68 for a single day event on Oct. 28.
The virtual broadcast will feature the head coach and one student-athlete from each team, as well as an interview with Ivy League executive director Robin Harris. At the time of the conference announcement, the specific hours were not finalized.
A conversation with former Princeton coach and Dartmouth guard Courtney Banghart
Princeton coaching and Dartmouth playing legend Courtney Banghart spent 45 minutes in conversation with Ivy Hoops Online contributor Steve Silverman.
Kent: Ivy League continuing to move backward on NIL
Call it what you want, leaderless or rudderless. That’s what some Ivy League coaches, alumni and donors are saying right now in droves. And it is spot on. Those terms apply to the recent Ivy mandate further restricting the ability of its student-athletes to receive NIL compensation.
Nothing exemplifies this more than the recent Ivy mandate further restricting the ability of its student-athletes to receive NIL.
Steve Donahue takes over as Saint Joseph’s head coach after Billy Lange’s exit
Well, that didn’t last long.
With Billy Lange moving on to a player development role with the New York Knicks, Saint Joseph’s has appointed former Cornell and Penn head coach Steve Donahue as the program’s new head coach, the school confirmed Wednesday. Donahue joined Lange’s staff as associate head coach back in May after being fired by Penn.
Princeton women’s basketball releases loaded 2025-26 schedule
Last March, the Princeton women’s basketball team reaffirmed a valuable lesson as it celebrated earning its sixth consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament: If you play a challenging schedule and win games, the NCAA Tournament selection committee will reward you.
The Tigers on Wednesday released their schedule for the upcoming 2025-26 season, and once again, it’s loaded with top opponents.
The schedule includes 13 nonconference matchups, only four of which will be played within the friendly confines of Jadwin Gymnasium. The remaining nine games will be played either on the road or at a Thanksgiving week tournament site that has yet to be announced.
Overall, the Tigers will face at least two teams from the Big Ten, three teams from the Big East, two teams from the Atlantic 10, two teams from the American Conference, an ACC team, and a Missouri Valley Conference opponent, in addition to a full slate of Ivy League matchups. There are no cupcakes on this schedule.