A Look into the 2025 Ivy League Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
As the 2025 season approaches, Princeton leads the Ivy League preseason rankings, while Penn holds fourth place. The previous year was full of surprises and upsets for the Ancient Eight.
Despite entering last season as the preseason favorite, Princeton failed to secure either the regular-season or tournament title. Instead, Harvard made history by earning its first-ever March Madness berth. Penn finished fourth and narrowly missed the NCAA tournament as the league sent three teams forward.
Princeton Tigers (21-8, 12-2 Ivy League)
Last year’s campaign broke Princeton’s six-year streak of regular-season titles. Even so, the Tigers remain the dominant preseason favorite for 2025, capturing 17 of the 21 first-place votes in the official poll.
Madison St. Rose, the 2023 Ivy League Rookie of the Year, suffered an ACL injury last November, challenging the team’s depth and leadership.
In her absence, underclassmen stepped up. Guards Skye Belker and Fadima Tall are expected to anchor the lineup alongside Ashley Chea, the league’s only unanimous returning First Team All-Ivy selection.
Columbia Lions
Previously Princeton’s consistent runner-up, Columbia’s breakthrough last season was remarkable. Their strong regular season and first-ever March Madness win established them as credible title contenders for 2025.
Author’s Summary
Princeton enters the 2025 Ivy League season as the team to beat, yet Columbia’s surge and Harvard’s momentum promise a fiercely competitive year ahead.