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2019-20 Ivy League preview: Will it be Penn and Princeton again for the title?

By Matt Ward

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 11: Bella Alarie #31 (C) of the Princeton Tigers elates with her teammates with the win over the Harvard Crimson during an Ivy League semifinal matchup at The Palestra on March 11, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Princeton won 68-47. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 11: Bella Alarie #31 (C) of the Princeton Tigers elates with her teammates with the win over the Harvard Crimson during an Ivy League semifinal matchup at The Palestra on March 11, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Princeton won 68-47. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /
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Brown will rely on a proven veteran

Brown

Last season: 9-21 overall (1-13 Ivy League)

Predicted finish: 8th

Key Returners (Last season’s stats)

G- Justine Gaziano, 6’0, Sr- 17.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 46% FG, 36% 3FG, 34.8 MPG

C- Haley Green, 6’3, Sr- 3.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 61% FG, 12.1 MPG

*F- Ashley Ducharme, 6’1, So- Missed all of last season due to injury.

*G- McKenna Dale, 6’0, So- Missed all of last season due to injury.

Biggest Losses (Last season’s stats)

G- Shayna Mehta, 5’7- 16.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 37%FG, 30% 3FG, 36 MPG

G- Taylor Will, 5’11- .10.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 37%FG, 30% 3FG, 31 MPG

F- Erica Steeves, 6’2- .10.1 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 37% FG, 35% 3FG, 32 MPG

Newcomers

F- Dani Short, 6’1, Fr

G- Sydney Rosant, 5’8, Fr

F- Fionna Finn, 6’1, Fr

Head Coach- Sarah Behn (6th season)

Key Non-Conference games

Nov 21-  at UMass

Dec 7-8- Ocean State Tip-Off vs. URI then Bryant/Providence

Dec 30-  at South Florida

Outlook

Brown may be the most difficult team in the league to predict. The loss of three starters and unique scorers in Mehta, Wills, and Steeves, will be difficult to replace. That said, Gaziano is one of the best players in the league, and Coach Behn has brought in a solid group of freshmen. The key, however, could be in the return of the two sophomores who return after missing all of last season, in Ducharme and Dale. If they can step in and prove to be two players that the Bears can rely on to score the ball and defend on the other end, Brown may be capable of contending for the league tournament.

Last year, while Brown was able to score in bunches, they also gave up points in bunches. The Bears finished third in the league in scoring offense, behind only Princeton and Harvard, but were last in the league in scoring defense. They also finished last in FG% and rebounding margin. In a game that is oftentimes focused on pace and the 3-point shot, it’s still rebounding and defense that wins. Brown will need to get better in both of those areas.

What Will Happen?

Brown will be better than last season. Ducharme is a terrific player and her return is going to prove to be key. That said, they are still quite young and inexperienced, which will cost them in this league this year. The Bears will improve and will show improvement throughout the season, but a lot will be on Gaziano.  She can certainly handle carrying the load, but this league is just too good this year to see a big jump from a very young team, with just one proven star.

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