The Yale Bulldogs (13-14, 6-5 Ivy) will travel to Francis S. Levien Gymnasium to go head-to-head with the Columbia Lions (8-16, 5-6 Ivy) in their home finale. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
Yale Bulldogs at Columbia Lions Odds Preview
In the Bulldogs last game, they barely escaped the Cornell Big Red, 82-80. Blake Reynolds led Yale in scoring with 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting. Yale’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Cornell. The Bulldogs had a rate of 0.593 (above their season average of 0.536), while the Big Red posted a mark of 0.554.
The Lions will look to keep it rolling after beating the Brown Bears in their last matchup, 89-82. Columbia received a boost from Mike Smith, who led the team in scoring with 24 points on 5-for-13 shooting. Columbia played a nearly perfect game. They had a fantastic free throw rate of 0.579 (above their season average of 0.156) and a turnover percentage of 11.9 (better than their season average of 15.8). For those same stats, Brown put up marks of 0.410 and 15.6, respectively.
It could be a difficult game for Columbia on the offensive glass. The Lions rank 241st in offensive rebounding percentage (27.1 percent), while Yale ranks 92nd in defensive rebounding percentage (73.3 percent). ,
Of Yale’s 18 games that accepted bets, 12 have finished under the projected point total, while 7 of Columbia’s 15 games have finished over the O/U total. The Bulldogs hold the substantial advantage straight up (SU) (13-14 vs. 8-16), but the Lions have the superior against the spread (ATS) record (6-8-1 vs. 6-11-1).
Both teams have had a player heat up over their last five games. For the Bulldogs, it’s been Reynolds, who has averaged 10.0 points and 5.8 rebounds, while the Lions have gotten great contributions from Quinton Adlesh (15.0 points).
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to score 172 points, well over the projected point total of 150.5. The Bulldogs won 88-84, covering as 4-point favorites. Converting at the free throw line was one of Yale’s largest advantages. They were 12-15 (80.0 percent), while the Lions were just 5-12 (41.7 percent). In the victory, Miye Oni led all scorers with 17 points.
Yale Bulldogs at Columbia Lions Betting Prediction
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Yale, ATS Winner – Yale, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Lions rank 96th in steals per game (6.6) while the Bulldogs rank 174th in steals allowed per game (7.0).
- Yale allows the 34th-fewest blocks per game (2.6) while Columbia ranks 38th (2.7).
- Yale is 4-8 ATS on the road, while Columbia is 3-3 ATS at home.
- Of the Bulldogs 12 road games, they have 7 unders and 5 overs.
- In 6 home games, the Lions have 3 overs and 3 unders.
- Yale ranks 43rd in three pointers allowed per game (19.5) while Columbia ranks 279th (26.7).
- The Bulldogs rank 22nd in assists per game (16.8) while the Lions rank 201st in assists allowed per game (14.5).
- Yale ranks 106th in rebounds allowed per game (33.7) while Columbia ranks 246th (37.5).
Betting Trends:
- Columbia is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Yale is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
- The Lions average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.6, up from 0.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 74.0 points per game (matching their season average) and allowed an average of 71.6 points per game (1.2 below their season average).
