The stage is set for the 2025 Ivy League Tournament semifinals, where the No. 1 seed Yale Bulldogs (20-7) will face the No. 4 seed Princeton Tigers (19-10) at the Paul Bailey Pizzitola Sports Center, located in Providence, Rhode Island. Scheduled for Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET, this match holds significant stakes as both teams aim for the championship title and, potentially, the opportunity to secure automatic entry to the NCAA Tournament.
Yale heads confidently onto the court following a remarkable regular season marked by dominance, culminating with a 13-game winning streak and finishing with a 13-1 record against Ivy League opponents. The Bulldogs wrapped up their conference play with a decisive victory over Brown on March 8, winning 70-61. Leading Yale's offense is senior guard John Poulakidas, averaging 19.3 points per game, bolstered by a recent standout performance against Brown where he netted 27 points, including 5 of 10 shooting from beyond the arc.
Joining Poulakidas is junior forward Nick Townsend, who has also made significant contributions, averaging 15.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Townsend is known for his dynamic playmaking and versatility on the court, notching several double-doubles throughout the season. His performance will be pivotal as Yale seeks to maintain its offensive momentum against Princeton.
Meanwhile, Princeton is facing its own challenges and opportunities. The Tigers wrapped up their regular season with an impressive showing, defeating Pennsylvania 95-71 on March 8. Despite starting their campaign strong, they experienced fluctuations, finishing with an 8-6 league record. Junior guard Xaivian Lee, who averages 17 points and 5.4 assists per game, has been instrumental for Princeton. His scoring capability and playmaking will be key factors for the Tigers as they aim to upset the Bulldogs.
The two teams previously met twice this season, with Yale coming out on top on both occasions: first with a 77-70 victory on January 31 and then with a commanding 84-57 win at home. These results will undoubtedly play on the minds of both teams as they enter the high-stakes atmosphere of the tournament. Princeton will have to overcome this psychological hurdle to claim victory.
Betting odds for the matchup reflect Yale's current status as the favorite, with the Bulldogs set at -7.5 and the total points over/under established at 146.5. According to the SportsLine model, Yale has performed exceptionally well as the favorite, winning 19 of the 22 contests they've been marked as such this season. Predictions from the model indicate the teams will combine for approximately 150 points, predicting a fast-paced game. Yale's statistical edge includes averaging 82.2 points per game, making them 19th overall, compared to Princeton's 74.2-point average.
Both teams will be striving for supremacy on the boards, where Yale distinctly leads with 35.7 rebounds per game, compared to Princeton's 30.9. The battle for rebounds may well dictate offensive opportunities, particularly with teams like Yale, who capitalize on second-chance points.
For fans eager to catch the action, the game will be broadcast live on ESPNU. With both teams vying not only for the tournament title but also for the prestige of NCAA tournament participation, the outcome of this game will reverberate for both programs.
It is clear—every dribble, every pass, and every shot will matter. Yale seeks to assert its place as the definitive champion of the Ivy League, striving for what would be their first conference title since 2020, whereas Princeton aims to reclaim its historic stature by overcoming the hurdles set before them. The rivalry reignited, the stakes amplified; this matchup promises to deliver high-intensity college basketball at its finest.