Jon Rothstein

2017-18 Ivy League team-by-team season preview, part 1

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This is part 1 of IHO’s 2017-18 Ivy League team-by-team season preview. Read part 2 here. 

The rise of the Ivy League is projected to continue.

The Ancient Eight is slated by KenPom as the 13th-best conference in Division I this season, just seven years after it placed 26th. That’s a quantum leap, a product of the league’s bolstered recruiting in that time frame. The Ivy hoops status quo now consists of top-25 recruiting classes, Nike Skills Academy members and expectations of NCAA Tournament success.

There’s a three-way cluster between Harvard, Princeton and Yale projected to top the league. In the Ivy Preseason Media Poll, Yale received the most first-place votes (eight) but Harvard garnered the most points overall. Without a clear conference favorite, it’s quite likely that the regular season champion will not also be the conference tournament winner, with Bart Torvik’s Ivy Tourney Simulator tabbing Penn as the favorite in an Ivy tourney as a No. 4 seed.

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Makai Mason reportedly to become grad transfer in 2018

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Makai Mason registered 31 points, six rebounds and four assists in Yale’s NCAA Tournament win over Baylor last season. (Fansided)

Yale point guard Makai Mason will play for the Elis in the 2017-18 season and become a graduate transfer following that season, according to Jon Rothstein of FanRag Sports.

Mason was a standout during Yale’s NCAA Tournament run last season but was injured in a scrimmage in November, reportedly needing to undergo surgery to repair his foot.

Mason’s apparent decision to play for the Bulldogs in 2017-18 indicates the junior has remained enrolled at Yale rather than withdrawing from school.

Last season, Mason averaged 16.0 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds per game and added 31 points in Yale’s NCAA Tournament first-round win over Baylor.