A look into the 2025 Ivy League women’s basketball preseason poll
Ahead of the season, Princeton is favored to lead the Ivy League, while Penn is placed fourth. Last year’s women’s basketball season in the Ancient Eight was full of surprises and upsets.
Despite being the preseason favorite, Princeton did not secure the regular season or tournament titles. Harvard made history by earning its first-ever March Madness tournament appearance. Penn finished fourth and missed out after the Ivy League sent three teams to March Madness.
Princeton (21-8, 12-2 Ivy League)
Princeton’s six-year regular-season title streak ended last year. Still, the Tigers remain the preseason favorite, earning 17 of 21 first-place votes in the poll. The team faced challenges after losing 2023 Ivy League Rookie of the Year Madison St. Rose to an ACL injury in November, but its younger players stepped up.
Guards Skye Belker and Fadima Tall are now expected to lead alongside Ashley Chea, the league’s only returning unanimous first-team All-Ivy player.
Columbia’s Rise
Until last season, Columbia was regularly the Ivy League runner-up. This year, following an impressive regular season and their first-ever March Madness win, the Lions have become a formidable contender.
“Preseason favorite Princeton did not capture the regular season or tournament title, and Harvard clinched its first March Madness berth in program history.”
“Losing 2023 Ivy League Rookie of the Year Madison St. Rose to an ACL tear last November pushed the team into an unsteady spot, but Princeton’s underclassmen stepped up in response.”
Summary: Princeton leads this year's Ivy League women’s basketball preseason poll despite last season’s setbacks, while rising teams like Columbia and historical achievements by Harvard highlight the league's growing competitiveness.