The Brown Bears (13-6, 1-2 Ivy) will be at Lavietes Pavilion to meet the Harvard Crimson (9-7, 2-1 Ivy) in an Ivy matchup. The game gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 2, 2019.
Brown Bears at Harvard Crimson ATS Odds
Both teams covered in their last game. The Crimson (10.5-point favorites) defeated the Yale Bulldogs 65-49, while the Bears (7-point underdog) beat the Dartmouth Big Green 60-58. The Harvard game went 26 points under the projected point total of 140, while the Brown game went 35.5 points under the projected point total of 153.5.
The Bears forced 19 turnovers and held the Big Green to an offensive rebounding percentage of 17.9 (below their season average of 26.0). The Crimson, on the other hand, held the Bulldogs to an effective field goal percentage of 0.339 (below their season average of 0.559) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.6 (below their season average of 28.8). Justin Bassey put together a solid performance for Harvard with 13 points and seven rebounds. Tamenang Choh, meanwhile led the way for Brown, contributing 12 points, nine rebounds and five steals.
The Crimson dominated this series last year, winning both games. In the last game, Harvard won 65-58. One of Harvard’s biggest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They had 26 free throw attempts, while Brown had 15. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Bears games have typically gone under the O/U total (75.0 percent). Brown has a respectable 13-6 straight up (SU) record, but they struggle covering the spread (7-7-2 against the spread (ATS)).
Unlike Brown, Crimson games have a tendency to go over the total (64.3 percent). Further, Harvard owns records of 9-7 SU and 6-8 ATS.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, this will be a matchup of two heavyweights. The elite Harvard offense ranks 47th in the country in that metric at 0.548, while the elite Brown defense is ranked 26th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.459). It will also be a tale of two paces as the up-tempo Bears rank 57th in possessions per game, while the more methodical Crimson rank 264th.
Brown Bears vs. Harvard Crimson Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Harvard, ATS Winner – Harvard, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Harvard ranks 19th in rebounds allowed per game (30.9) while Brown ranks 208th (36.7).
- The Crimson rank 128th in three pointers attempted per game (23.1) while the Bears rank 169th in three pointers allowed per game (23.4).
- Brown averages 14.8 assists per game, which ranks 70th in the nation. Harvard ranks 74th in assists allowed per game (12.1).
- The Bears rank 38th in steals per game (7.9) while the Crimson rank 209th (4.8).
- Harvard ranks 50th in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while Brown ranks 116th (3.5).
- Brown is 5-3-1 ATS on the road, while Harvard is 1-3 ATS at home.
- Of the Bears’ 9 road games, they have 7 unders and 2 overs.
- Of the Crimson’s 4 home games, they have 3 overs and 1 under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Bears are 1-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Crimson are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Brown has 2 overs and 2 unders, while Harvard has 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Bears’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.4, down from 8.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Crimson have scored an average of 55.2 points per game (10.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 52.0 points per game (12.0 below their season average).
