The Brown University men's basketball team and the Yale University men's basketball team are two of the most prominent teams in the Ivy League, a conference known for its academic excellence and competitive athletics. The Ivy League, which consists of eight private colleges and universities in the Northeastern United States, has a rich history of producing talented basketball players and teams. Brown University, located in Providence, Rhode Island, and Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, have a long-standing rivalry that dates back to the early 20th century.
History of the Rivalry
The Brown-Yale basketball rivalry is one of the oldest and most storied in the Ivy League. The two teams first met on the court in 1902, with Yale winning the inaugural game 24-15. Since then, the teams have played each other over 200 times, with Yale holding a slight edge in the all-time series. Despite the rivalry, both teams have experienced periods of success and struggles over the years. Brown has won several Ivy League championships, including titles in 1986 and 2008, while Yale has won multiple championships, including a recent title in 2016.
Recent Matchups
In recent years, the Brown-Yale rivalry has been marked by intense and closely contested games. In the 2019-2020 season, the two teams split their regular-season series, with Brown winning 72-67 at home and Yale winning 83-69 on its home court. The following season, Yale won both games, including a thrilling 74-73 overtime victory at Brown’s Pizzitola Sports Center. The 2021-2022 season saw Brown win both games, including a 75-72 victory at Yale’s John J. Lee Amphitheater. These recent matchups demonstrate the competitive nature of the rivalry and the ability of both teams to produce exciting and unpredictable games.
| Season | Brown Win-Loss Record | Yale Win-Loss Record | Head-to-Head Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | 15-12 (8-6 Ivy) | 23-7 (11-3 Ivy) | Split series (1-1) |
| 2020-2021 | 13-16 (4-10 Ivy) | 18-11 (10-4 Ivy) | Yale swept series (2-0) |
| 2021-2022 | 13-16 (5-9 Ivy) | 19-12 (11-3 Ivy) | Brown swept series (2-0) |
Notable Players and Coaches
Both Brown and Yale have produced notable players and coaches throughout their histories. Brown’s most notable player is probably Earl Hunt, a two-time Ivy League Player of the Year who played professionally in Europe after graduating in 2003. Yale, on the other hand, has produced several notable players, including Justin Sears, a two-time Ivy League Player of the Year who played professionally in Europe and the NBA G League. In terms of coaching, Brown’s Mike Martin has been at the helm since 2012, leading the team to multiple Ivy League championships and postseason appearances. Yale’s James Jones has been the head coach since 1999, guiding the team to multiple Ivy League championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.
Coaching Records
The coaching records of Mike Martin and James Jones are impressive, with both coaches having achieved significant success during their tenures. Martin has a record of 143-173 (.453) at Brown, while Jones has a record of 332-293 (.532) at Yale. Both coaches have been recognized for their excellence, with Martin being named Ivy League Coach of the Year in 2019 and Jones being named Ivy League Coach of the Year in 2016.
- Mike Martin (Brown): 143-173 (.453) record, 2 Ivy League championships, 2 Ivy League Coach of the Year awards
- James Jones (Yale): 332-293 (.532) record, 4 Ivy League championships, 2 Ivy League Coach of the Year awards
What is the all-time series record between Brown and Yale?
+Yale leads the all-time series 134-93.
Who is the all-time leading scorer in Brown University history?
+Earl Hunt is the all-time leading scorer in Brown University history, with 2,041 points.
What conference do Brown and Yale compete in?
+Brown and Yale compete in the Ivy League, a conference consisting of eight private colleges and universities in the Northeastern United States.
