Cornell Gets No. 1 Seed, Harvard Edges Army for Last Spot in NCAA Tournament

Is this the year?

It’s been nearly five decades since Cornell last won the national championship. Now the Big Red are in prime position to end the drought.

Hours after defeating Princeton for the Ivy League title, Cornell nabbed the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament. The bracket was announced during a selection show Sunday night on ESPNU.

The Big Red were a no-brainer, boasting not only the top RPI in the country but also the runaway favorite to win the Tewaaraton Award in CJ Kirst. They’ll face the winner of an opening-round game Wednesday between Capital Region rivals UAlbany and Siena — the America East and MAAC champions, respectively.

Cornell was one of three Ivy League teams to earn bids. Conference runner-up Princeton got the No. 3 seed and Harvard edged Army for the last spot in the 18-team tournament. While the Crimson rated higher in RPI and strength of schedule, the Black Knights were considered a final four sleeper if they made it. Both teams fell in conference semifinals.

The first-round matchup sure to generate the most heat is Big Ten champion Ohio State drawing two-time defending NCAA champion Notre Dame. Despite a historic season that included an 11-game winning streak and their first conference title, the Buckeyes only got the No. 4 seed. Geography could have played a role in the pairing. Ohio State defeated Notre Dame in South Bend earlier this season.

Big Ten runner-up Maryland is the No. 2 seed and will face the winner of the other opening-round game between Northeast Conference champion Robert Morris and ASUN champion Air Force.

Repeat CAA champion Towson, winner of 10 straight games, will play at Princeton.

Penn State and Syracuse, the No. 5 and No. 6 seeds, respectively, will host regular season rematches. Colgate, the team that ousted Army in the Patriot League semifinals and then dispatched Boston University to snatch the AQ, will visit Happy Valley. Harvard, which beat Syracuse during the regular season, will be back at the JMA Wireless Dome.

It should be a fun Saturday on Tobacco Road. Atlantic 10 champion Richmond and No. 8 seed North Carolina get things started in Chapel Hill, while seven-time Big East champion Georgetown visits No. 7 seed Duke in a nightcap.

All games will be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks.

FIRST ROUND

(1) Cornell vs. UAlbany/Siena 
(8) North Carolina vs. Richmond 
— Winners advance to QF at Hofstra

(5) Penn State vs. Colgate 
(4) Ohio State vs. Notre Dame 
— Winners advance to QF at Navy

(3) Princeton vs. Towson 
(6) Syracuse vs. Harvard 
— Winners advance to QF at Hofstra

(7) Duke vs. Georgetown 
(2) Maryland vs. Robert Morris/Air Force 
— Winners advance to QF at Navy

SCHEDULE 
All times Eastern

Wednesday, May 7

Siena at UAlbany – 7 p.m.
Air Force at Robert Morris – 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 10

Richmond at (8) North Carolina – 12 p.m.
Towson at (3) Princeton – 2:30 p.m.
Colgate at (5) Penn State – 5 p.m.
Georgetown at (7) Duke – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 11

Notre Dame at (4) Ohio State – 12 p.m.
Air Force/Robert Morris at (2) Maryland – 2:30 p.m.
Harvard at (6) Syracuse – 5 p.m.
UAlbany/Siena at (1) Cornell – 7:30 p.m.