Men's Lacrosse: Harvard's Ivy League Playoff Chances

As detailed today on Sportstalk, Harvard's first win over Princeton since 1990 kept the Crimson alive in the Ivy League playoff race. Looking over this article on Inside Lacrosse, provided by Princeton Athletics, we've compiled the list of what needs to happen for Harvard to get in to the playoffs. The article says Harvard needs a win and some help...although all of the scenarios they go on to list with a Harvard win have the Crimson in the top four. So as far as we can tell, win and the Crimson are in. Lose at Yale, and the season is over.

We look at what the playoffs will look like after the jump.


If Harvard Wins And...

Brown beats Dartmouth and Cornell beats Princeton, then Harvard is the #4 seed and would face #1 Brown in Providence. #2 Cornell would face #3 Princeton.

Dartmouth beats Brown and Cornell beats Princeton, then Harvard is the #3 seed and would face #2 Princeton in Ithaca. #1 Cornell would face #4 Yale.

Dartmouth beats Brown and Princeton beats Cornell, then Harvard is the #2 seed and would face #3 Yale in Princeton. #1 Princeton would face #4 Dartmouth.

Brown beats Dartmouth and Princeton beats Cornell, then Harvard is the #4 seed and would face #1 Princeton in Princeton. #2 Brown would face #3 Cornell.

So if Brown wins, the best Harvard can do is the #4 seed. If Dartmouth wins, the Crimson are guaranteed either the 2nd or 3rd seed.

If Harvard loses and...

Brown beats Dartmouth and Cornell beats Princeton, then #1 Cornell hosts #4 Brown and #2 Princeton faces #3 Yale in Ithaca.

Dartmouth beats Brown and Cornell beats Princeton, then #1 Cornell hosts #4 Dartmouth and #2 Princeton faces #3 Yale in Ithaca.

Dartmouth beats Brown and Princeton beats Cornell, then #1 Princeton hosts #4 Brown and #2 Dartmouth faces #3 Yale in Princeton.

Brown beats Dartmouth and Princeton beats Cornell, then #1 Princeton hosts #4 Cornell and #2 Yale faces #3 Brown in Princeton.