Harvard Women’s Basketball Wins Ivy League Title And Heads To NCAA

In a remarkable showcase of perseverance and resilience, the Harvard women’s basketball team has won their first Ivy League Championship in history, earning them a highly anticipated spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007. The Crimson defeated fierce rivals Columbia Lions in a nail-biting championship game held last weekend, where each team fought hard, with Harvard clinching the title by just a three-point margin.

The victory comes at a time when several key players on the Harvard roster are battling injuries. Senior guard Elena Rodriguez is nursing soreness in her knee, while sophomore Karlee White is contending with a combination of knee, ankle, foot, and shin issues. Additionally, freshman Lydia Chatira and junior Gabby Anderson have also faced injury challenges, adding pressure to the team’s performance as they prepared for the NCAA Tournament.

Head coach Carrie Moore expressed her confidence about the team's resilience despite the apparent challenges. As they look ahead to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in nearly two decades, her commitment to her players was clear. “They’ll all be available,” Moore said confidently, in regard to her team’s availability for their next match against Michigan State. “You’d have to probably cut off both of their knees and their feet for them not to play on Saturday.”

The Harvard women’s basketball team will face Michigan State Spartans in the first round of March Madness at 4:30 PM on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Although the team is entering the game off the back of intense performances at the Ivy League tournament, wherein they secured victories against Ivy foes required every ounce of their fight, the Spartans will arrive with fresh legs after a significant break. Michigan State has not played since their shocking first-round elimination in the Big Ten tournament against the Iowa Hawkeyes sixteen days prior. This advantage might play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the upcoming contest.

Despite the fatigue evident among her players, including star player Harmoni Turner, who notably scored 44 points in a heroic display against Princeton, Coach Moore is optimistic. Turner also contributed an impressive 24 points in the championship match versus Columbia, solidifying her reputation as a powerhouse on the court. Moore pointed out the importance of the upcoming game stating, “We’re prepared. But we will be even more prepared after a week of a week of prep.”

Additionally, the infusion of young talent has bolstered Harvard’s chances. Players like White and Abigail Wright have stepped up and made significant contributions in the tournament, preparing themselves and their teammates for the challenges ahead. “You want to see some of our younger guys really stepping up, because they must know what’s ahead,” Coach Moore added.

The matchup against Michigan State will undoubtedly test Harvard’s mettle. Moore understands the challenge they face but also emphasized the similarities between the Spartans and the Lions, against whom the Crimson have previously played. Harvard managed to secure one victory out of four against Columbia and Princeton in regular season games, which provides them with valuable context as they prepare for the game.

Aside from individual skill, the key to Harvard’s success against Michigan State may lie in their renowned defensive strategies, ranked among the top ten in the nation. “To pull off the upset, we’ll need key stops, not just relying on Turner’s impressive shooting,” Moore noted, hinting at the moral that every player’s performance matters in the match against the formidable Spartans.

As the NCAA Tournament begins, the women’s basketball world is watching closely. All eyes will undoubtedly be on the court when the two teams meet. The energy surrounding the match promises a fierce competition, with Moore’s Harvard team hoping to make an indelible mark on their return to the NCAA Tournament. “Whoever we go against, we know that we can win,” Turner stated emphatically, representing the mindset shared amongst her teammates as they prepare to take on their opponents.

As the countdown to Saturday continues, the excitement is building, and players and fans alike are eager for the Harvard Crimson to prove themselves on this grand stage. With their Ivy League title in hand, they are ready to embark on a new journey—their historic first step back into NCAA basketball.