Big Games: 11/24-26 Battle 4 Atlantis (vs. Utah, possibly Florida State and/or UConn), 12/8 at UConn, 2/24 vs. Princeton
As a team expected to be among the top 50 in the country next year, games against FSU and UConn (they will beat Utah) will be a chance to show their mettle. They have a good chance of at least giving the Noles a game and could do the same against UConn to show that they are among the nation's elite. But they must beat Princeton to prove that last year was not a fluke.
Freshmen: Tommy Amaker got a great class this year, one which could help them to their first NCAA tourney. Kenyatta Smith, rated 90 on ESPN, is a 3-star C who is the highlight of the class. Wesley Saunders is the #52 ranked PF in the class according to ESPN and also a 3-star recruit, bringing great athleticism and size to play for the Crimson as one of California's top players. Corbin Miller will be a great stop-and-pop shooter for the Crimson, while Jonah Travis has raw post skills but will need to improve his outside game to become more of an SF in college. Steve Mondou-Missi also could make an impact in the post, although may need time to work his way up the depth chart as he lacks any outside game. SF Max Hooper possesses a great shot. Alex Nesbitt is a G out of Chicago.
Brown: Schedule
Big Games: 12/3 at Iowa, 12/5 at Providence, 1/28 vs. Harvard, 2/3 vs. Princeton
Iowa and Providence aren't exactly at program highs right now, but still a respectable showing would go a long way toward legitimizing the Bears. (Especially if they stand up to their crosstown rival) Legitimacy in the Ivy League will come quickly with a win over either of the conference's current power programs.
Freshmen: Brown brings in some decent players this year, particularly nice-shooting TX SG Christian Gore. MA prep Joe Sharkey should develop into a pretty good PG for the Bears. Brazilian C Rafael Maia comes with a decent inside and outside game. PF Jon Schmidt from MD is a very smart kid who long wanted to play hoops in the Ivy League. G Taylor Wright is the son of Villanova's Jay and brings a good 3-point shot to the team. Longji Yiljep brings track-star speed at G as well.
Dartmouth: Schedule
Big Games: 11/11 at Rutgers,1/7 at Harvard, 1/21 vs. Harvard
Rebuilding Rutgers might give Dartmouth a chance at getting off to a good start in their climb up from the Ivy cellar. Starting conference play well in two games against Harvard would also go a long way toward eking out some success in Hanover.
Freshmen: Mediocre class here. Jvonte Brooks will be a very blue-collar PF. Lithuanian PF Gabas Maldunas is on his way to being an inside-out post. Athletic John Golden had been receiving increased attention from better programs before choosing Dartmouth. Will McConnell comes from one of CA's top programs. G Mack McKearney was late to get attention, but Dartmouth was one of the few D1 schools to pay attention to him. F Kirill Savolainen, from Finland, rounds out the class.
Yale: Schedule
Big Games: 11/22 at Seton Hall, 12/3 vs. Vermont, 1/27 vs. Harvard, 2/18 at Harvard
Seton Hall and Vermont dates give the Bulldogs chances to play established teams that they might stand a chance of keeping up with to build early-season confidence. And when are Harvard and Yale games in any sport not a big deal? Like everyone else in the Ivy league, you can believe they're circling those dates on their calendar.
Freshmen: Yale brings in a big, decent class this year. Brandon Sherrod is a PF with good inside skills and the ability to shoot jumpers. Chappaqua, NY PF Matt Townsend is another inside bruiser who's willing to fight to make things happen for his team. SG Javier Duren brings size on the perimeter as well as handling to play the point at times. NYC SF Armani Cotton will bring the ability to defend at multiple positions and C Will Childs-Klein has great size but at times has struggled to shoot the ball.
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