ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell men's basketball team has been picked to finish fifth in the 2026 Ivy League Preseason Media Poll, which was announced by the league office.
Penn was tabbed to finish first with 157 points and 11 first-place votes, followed by Harvard (146 points, seven first-place votes), Yale (133, two) and Princeton (97, one). Cornell received 82 points, ahead of Columbia (69), Brown (42) and Dartmouth (30).
The Big Red finished fourth in the Ivy League standings in 2025-26 at 8-6 in conference play (15-13 overall) and qualified for Ivy Madness for the fifth consecutive season, falling to regular season champion Yale in the semifinals at Newman Arena. Cornell led the nation in assists (21.3 per game) and 3-pointers made per game (12.9) and set school and Ivy League single-season records for assists (596) and 3-pointers (362).
Cornell must replace seniors
Jake Fiegen (first-team All-Ivy) and
Cooper Noard (second-team All-Ivy, NABC All-District), along with
Adam Hinton and
Josh Baldwin. Senior guard
Jacob Beccles, the team's lone returning starter, leads a group of experienced returners that also includes seniors
Kaspar Sepp,
Ian Imegwu and
DaMaryon Fishburn, and returning rotation player in juniors
Anthony Nimani,
Gioacchino Panzini and
Mateen Rafiq, as well as sophomores
Jax Abalos and
Ryan Burbach. Seven newcomers, five freshmen and two transfers, join the roster as Cornell looks for its first Ivy League title since 2009-10.
Third-year head coach
Jon Jaques '10 and the Big Red open the 2026-27 season when it faces Pepperdine on Monday, Nov. 2 at 6 p.m. at Newman Arena.
2026 Ivy League Men's Basketball Preseason Poll
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Penn - 157 (11 first-place votes)
2. Harvard - 146 (7 first-place votes)
3. Yale - 133 (2 first-place votes)
4. Princeton - 97 (1 first-place vote)
5. Cornell - 82
6. Columbia - 69
7. Brown - 42
8. Dartmouth - 30
