The Brown Bears (11-13, 4-7 Ivy) will travel to Newman Arena at Bartels Hall to square off with the Cornell Big Red (10-14, 4-7 Ivy) in their home finale. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN Full Court.
Brown Bears vs. Cornell Big Red ATS Preview
In the Bears last game, they lost to the Columbia Lions, 89-82. Desmond Cambridge put together a solid game for Brown, leading both teams in scoring with 26 points on 5-for-14 shooting. Columbia did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the charity stripe (33-38; 86.8 percent). Brown, on the other hand, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 35.0 (above their season average of 29.7).
The Big Red are hoping for a better outcome after their 82-80 loss to the Yale Bulldogs in their last outing. Matt Morgan was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 8-for-14 shooting. Yale had an effective field goal percentage of 0.593 (above their season average of 0.536). Cornell, on the other hand, did a terrific job of making free throws (18-24; 75.0 percent).
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Cornell offense. Cornell ranks 219th in the nation in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.2 percent), while the pesky defense of Brown forces the 93rd-most turnovers in the nation (20.3 percent). Additionally, the Bears are among the NCAA’s best at getting to the line, ranking fifth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.313). The Big Red, meanwhile, rank 55th at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents FTA rate of 0.198.
Of Brown’s 15 games that accepted bets, eight have finished over the O/U total, while 10 of Cornell’s 17 games have finished over the projected point total. Both teams have very similar records straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS). The Bears are 11-13 SU and 9-6 ATS, while the Big Red are 10-14 SU and 9-8 ATS.
Cambridge has been playing at a high level over the last five games for Brown, averaging 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined for 138 points, well under the projected point total of 160.5. The Big Red won 78-60, covering as 5-point underdogs. Cornell had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.613 vs. 0.343). Brown, on the other hand, had a much better turnover percentage (11.8 vs. 17.3). Stone Gettings recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Brown Bears vs. Cornell Big Red Prediction
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Brown, ATS Winner – Brown, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Bears average 6.7 steals per game, which ranks 91st in the nation. The Big Red rank 162nd in steals allowed per game (6.8).
- Cornell ranks 118th in blocks per game (3.3) while Brown ranks 178th in blocks allowed per game (4.5).
- Brown is 6-3 ATS on the road with 5 unders and 4 overs.
- Cornell is 4-3 ATS at home with 6 overs and 1 under.
- Cornell ranks 32nd in assists per game (16.3) while Brown ranks 209th (12.5).
- The Bears rank 88th in three pointers allowed per game (20.5) while the Big Red rank 230th (23.9).
- Brown ranks 119th in rebounds per game (36.0) while Cornell ranks 243rd in rebounds allowed per game (37.3).
Betting Trends:
- Cornell is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Brown is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Big Red have outscored opponents by an average of 1.0 point in their last five games. On the season, Cornell has lost by an average of 4.7 points.
- During their last five games, the Bears have scored an average of 70.8 points per game (6.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 77.2 points per game (1.3 below their season average).