A Look into the 2025 Ivy League Women’s Basketball Preseason Poll
As the 2025 season approaches, Princeton leads the preseason poll, while Penn sits in fourth place. The Ivy League women's basketball teams experienced a season full of surprises and upsets last year.
Princeton, the preseason favorite, did not secure either the regular season or tournament championship. Meanwhile, Harvard earned its first-ever berth in the March Madness tournament. Penn finished fourth in the conference and was the only Ivy League team not to qualify for March Madness, despite three teams making the tournament.
Princeton (21-8, 12-2 Ivy League)
Last season, Princeton ended its six-year streak of regular-season titles. Despite this setback, the Tigers remain the clear preseason favorite, claiming 17 of 21 first-place votes in the poll. The team faced adversity after losing 2023 Ivy League Rookie of the Year Madison St. Rose to an ACL tear last November. However, Princeton’s younger players rose to the challenge.
Guards Skye Belker and Fadima Tall are now expected to lead the team, alongside Ashley Chea, the league’s only returning unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection.
Columbia’s Rise
Columbia, historically the consistent runner-up in the Ivy League, made a breakthrough last season. After a strong regular season, the Lions celebrated their first-ever victory in March Madness, signaling their readiness to contend.
Last season, Princeton missed out on a regular-season title, breaking its six-year winning streak.
Harvard clinched its first March Madness berth in program history.
Princeton remains the heavy preseason favorite with 17 out of 21 first-place votes.
Summary: The 2025 Ivy League women’s basketball preseason poll highlights Princeton’s strong returning core as favorites, with Columbia emerging as a rising contender and Harvard breaking new ground.
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