The Cornell Yale basketball rivalry is a longstanding and intense competition between two of the Ivy League's most prestigious universities. The Cornell Big Red and the Yale Bulldogs have been facing off on the court for over a century, with their first meeting taking place in 1902. The two teams have a long and storied history, with both programs experiencing periods of dominance and struggling to find their footing at times. However, in recent years, the rivalry has heated up, with both teams consistently competing for the top spot in the Ivy League standings.
History of the Rivalry
The Cornell Yale basketball rivalry has a rich and fascinating history. The two teams have met on the court over 200 times, with Cornell currently holding a narrow lead in the all-time series. The Big Red have won 104 games, while the Bulldogs have taken 96. The rivalry has been marked by periods of dominance by both teams, with Cornell winning 10 straight games from 1969 to 1973, and Yale responding with a 7-game winning streak from 2002 to 2006. The series has also seen its fair share of close games, with 25 meetings decided by 5 points or less.
Notable Games and Moments
One of the most notable games in the Cornell Yale rivalry took place on February 19, 2010, when the Big Red defeated the Bulldogs 90-71 in front of a sold-out crowd at the Newman Arena in Ithaca, New York. The game was a crucial matchup in the Ivy League standings, with Cornell ultimately going on to win the conference championship that season. Another memorable moment came on January 30, 2015, when Yale’s Justin Sears hit a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Bulldogs a 62-59 victory over the Big Red.
| Season | Cornell Wins | Yale Wins |
|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2 | 1 |
| 2011-2012 | 1 | 2 |
| 2012-2013 | 2 | 1 |
| 2013-2014 | 1 | 2 |
| 2014-2015 | 1 | 2 |
Current State of the Programs
Both the Cornell and Yale basketball programs have experienced ups and downs in recent years. The Big Red have struggled to find consistency, with a record of 77-105 over the past 5 seasons. Despite this, the team has shown flashes of brilliance, including a 20-win season in 2019-2020. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, have been one of the top teams in the Ivy League, with a record of 93-63 over the past 5 seasons. Yale has won 2 Ivy League championships during this time, including a 2019 title that earned them a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Key Players and Coaches
Cornell’s roster is led by Jimmy Boeheim, a talented forward who averaged 16.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season. The Big Red are also coached by Brian Earl, a former Cornell player who has been at the helm of the program since 2016. Yale, on the other hand, is led by Paul Atkinson, a dominant big man who averaged 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season. The Bulldogs are coached by James Jones, a veteran coach who has been at Yale since 1999 and has led the team to 4 Ivy League championships.
- Cornell's fast break offense has been a key factor in their success, with the team averaging 73.4 points per game last season.
- Yale's defensive efficiency has been a major strength, with the team allowing just 65.1 points per game last season.
- The Big Red have struggled with rebounding, averaging just 32.5 boards per game last season.
- The Bulldogs have excelled at three-point shooting, making 37.5% of their attempts from beyond the arc last season.
Who has won the most games in the Cornell Yale rivalry?
+Cornell has won 104 games in the all-time series, while Yale has won 96.
What is the most points scored by a player in a single game in the Cornell Yale rivalry?
+The most points scored by a player in a single game in the Cornell Yale rivalry is 41, achieved by Cornell’s Louis Dale in 2009.
