The Harvard Crimson (11-7, 4-1 Ivy) and the Cornell Big Red (11-10, 3-2 Ivy) go head-to-head at Lavietes Pavilion. The Crimson will try to prolong their five-game winning streak. Action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
Cornell Big Red at Harvard Crimson Betting Odds
In the Big Red’s last outing, they covered the 2-point spread against the Dartmouth Big Green, 83-80. The Crimson, on the other hand, beat the Columbia Lions,98-96, but were unable to cover as 7-point favorites. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Cornell game finished 29 points over the projected point total of 134, while the Harvard game went 58 points over the projected point total of 136.
Cornell dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.278 (above their season average of 0.230) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.8 (above their season average of 20.5). Dartmouth had marks of 0.169 and 21.4, respectively, for those same stats. The Crimson, on the other hand, made 29 of their 39 free throws (74.4 percent) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (27.7 vs. 23.9). Bryce Aiken had a solid performance for Harvard with 44 points. Meanwhile, Matt Morgan had a good game for Cornell, contributing 41 points.
The Crimson dominated this series last year, winning all three games. In the last matchup, Harvard won 74-55. Harvard out-rebounded Cornell. The Crimson had 12 offensive rebounds and 37 total rebounds, while the Big Red had four and 25, respectively. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Of the Big Red’s 18 games with betting action, 10 have gone over the O/U total. Cornell holds records of 11-10 straight up (SU) and 8-9-1 against the spread (ATS).
Games including the Crimson also have a tendency to finish over the total (56.3 percent). Further, Harvard is 11-7 SU and 8-8 ATS.
Getting to the line might be scarce for Harvard in this battle. The Crimson currently rank 246th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.214, while Cornell ranks 35th in FTA rate allowed (0.184). Additionally, the Big Red rank 347th in offensive rebounding percentage (20.9 percent), while the Crimson rank 25th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.1 percent).
Cornell Big Red at Harvard Crimson Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Harvard, ATS Winner – Cornell, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Harvard ranks 30th in rebounds allowed per game (31.7) while Cornell ranks 239th (37.5).
- The Big Red rank 25th in assists allowed per game (10.8) while the Crimson rank 84th (12.2).
- Cornell ranks 182nd in steals per game (5.2) while Harvard ranks 202nd in steals allowed per game (7.9).
- The Crimson rank 50th in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while the Big Red rank 121st (3.6).
- Cornell ranks 32nd in three pointers allowed per game (19.2) while Harvard ranks 99th (21.3).
- Harvard is 3-3 ATS at home, while Cornell is 6-5 ATS on the road.
- The Big Red have 8 overs and 3 unders in 11 road games.
- Of the Crimson’s 6 home games, they have 3 overs and 3 unders.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Cornell and Harvard are both 3-2 ATS.
- The Big Red have 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games, while the Crimson have 3 unders and 2 overs
- During their last five games, the Big Red have scored an average of 70.8 points per game (0.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 70.6 points per game (0.2 above their season average).
- The Crimson’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.4, up from 2.3 for the season.
