ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Cornell men's basketball team has been picked fifth in the Ivy League Preseason Media Poll it was announced today in advance of Thursday's conference media day. The Big Red opens the 2022-23 campaign at Boston College on Monday, Nov. 7.

Penn (111, six first-place votes) narrowly held off Princeton (110, six first-place votes) as the preseason conference favorite, while Yale was third with 106 points (three first-place votes). Harvard recorded 86 points and the lone remianing first-place vote. With 54 points, Cornell edged out Brown (53) for fifth. Dartmouth (31) and Columbia (25) rounded out the field. Two media members from each of the eight league schools conducted the vote.

Seventh-year head coach Brian Earl, the reigning Ivy League Coach of the Year, returns just one starter from last season's squad that earned its second appearance in the men's basketball tournament. That's a little deceptive, however, as seven players that earned double figure minutes and three that opened at least 12 contests are back. Four returning players were named Ivy League Rookie of the Week at least once in 2021-22.

Cornell paced the Ancient Eight in assists (17.3) and steals (7.9) per game and ranked second in the Ancient Eight in scoring (79.2 ppg.), scoring margin (+4.5 ppg.), field goal percentage offense (.466) and defense (.430), 3-pointers made per game (9.7), rebounding margin (+1.9 rpg.) and assist:turnover ratio (1.22).
 

2022-23 Ivy League Men's Basketball Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)

1. Penn – 111 (6)
2. Princeton – 110 (6)
3. Yale – 106 (3)
4. Harvard – 86 (1)
5. Cornell – 54
6. Brown – 53
7. Dartmouth – 31
8. Columbia – 25