The Harvard Crimson (1-0) will be at home in Lavietes Pavilion when they meet the Massachusetts Minutemen (1-0). Harvard is a 10-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 139.5 points. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 12, 2017.
Massachusetts Minutemen vs. Harvard Crimson Betting Preview
In the Minutemen’s last contest, they defeated the Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks, 74-69. With 11 points and 13 rebounds, Massachusetts’ Malik Hines put together a solid performance. The Minutemen had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.3 vs. 17.1) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.500 vs. 0.451).
The Crimson will look to keep it rolling after topping the MIT Engineers in their last matchup, 73-64. Harvard rallied around Seth Towns, who was the top scorer from either team with 20 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Harvard dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.510 and a turnover percentage of 17.3. MIT recorded marks of 0.241 and 23.1, respectively, for those same stats.
Harvard figures to have the advantage on the defensive side of the ball. Dating back to last season, the Crimson rank 32nd in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.467), while Massachusetts is 224th in effective field goal percentage (0.497). It will also be a matchup of conflicting tempos as the fast-paced Minutemen rank 52nd in possessions per game, while the slower-paced Crimson rank 287th.
The Minutemen have had a middling 16-18 straight up (SU) record since last season, but are just 12-15-1 against the spread (ATS). It’s tough to find a trend for games involving Massachusetts since last year in regards to the O/U total as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
The Crimson, on the other hand, are 19-10 SU and 14-6-2 ATS since last season. Vegas has had a tendency to place the total low when Harvard has been involved over that same stretch as 63.6 percent of their games have ended over the O/U total.
The Minutemen won the sole contest against the Crimson last season, 70-66. The Minutemen’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Crimson. Massachusetts had a rate of 14.7, while Harvard posted a mark of 22.1.
Massachusetts Minutemen vs. Harvard Crimson ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Harvard, ATS Winner – Massachusetts, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Crimson allow the 15th-fewest blocks per game (2.5) while the Minutemen rank 54th (2.9).
- Massachusetts ranks 43rd in three pointers allowed per game (18.6) while Harvard ranks 61st (19.2).
- Massachusetts averages 7.6 steals per game, which ranks 35th in the nation. Harvard ranks 213th in steals allowed per game (6.7).
- The Crimson rank 117th in rebounds allowed per game (34.3) while the Minutemen rank 234th (36.7).
- Massachusetts ranks 31st in assists per game (16.0) while Harvard ranks 117th (14.2).
