Columbia Lions vs. Yale Bulldogs Betting Prediction 03/02/19

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The Yale Bulldogs (19-5, 9-2 Ivy) wrap up their home schedule at John J. Lee Amphitheater against the Columbia Lions (8-17, 3-8 Ivy). Action starts at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2, 2019.

Columbia Lions vs. Yale Bulldogs Betting Odds

Both teams covered in their last matchup. The Bulldogs (6-point favorites) defeated the Cornell Big Red 88-65, while the Lions (6.5-point underdog) beat the Brown Bears 80-77. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Yale game went 10.5 points over the projected point total of 142.5, while the Columbia game finished 24.5 points over the projected point total of 132.5.

The Lions had a superb effective field goal percentage of 0.563 (above their season average of 0.515) and had a free throw rate of 0.304 (above their season average of 0.145). Yale, meanwhile, played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.4 (better than their season average of 17.4) and a free throw rate of 0.156 (matching their season average). Cornell recorded marks of 16.3 and 0.111, respectively, for those same stats. Miye Oni played well for Yale with 30 points and seven rebounds. Patrick Tape had a solid performance for Columbia, contributing 16 points and seven rebounds.

In their first matchup this year, Oni led the Bulldogs to a 70-64 victory. He put up 20 points, five rebounds and five blocks. Yale was unable to cover as a 9-point favorite and the two teams combined for 134 points, which was under the projected point total of 146.5. Yale’s 0.602 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Columbia, who had a mark of 0.386.

Of the Lions’ 22 games with betting action, 12 have finished over the total. Columbia comes into the game with records of 8-17 straight up (SU) and 10-11-1 against the spread (ATS).

Unlike Columbia, just over half of Bulldogs games have finished under the total. Moreover, Yale owns records of 19-5 SU and 13-9 ATS.

From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Yale figures to have a significant edge. The upper-echelon Bulldogs offense ranks 11th in the nation in that metric at 0.567, while the porous Columbia defense is ranked 264th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.520). Also, the Lions rank 256th in offensive rebounding percentage (26.3 percent), while the Bulldogs rank 28th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.8 percent).

Columbia Lions at Yale Bulldogs Betting Pick

Pick: SU Winner – Yale, ATS Winner – Columbia, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • Columbia averages 7.8 steals per game, which ranks 35th in the nation. Yale ranks 203rd in steals allowed per game (7.6).
  • The Lions average 23.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 108th in the nation. The Bulldogs rank 212th in three pointers allowed per game (24.1).
  • Columbia averages 15.8 assists per game, which ranks 24th in the NCAA. Yale ranks 124th in assists allowed per game (12.9).
  • The Bulldogs rank 17th in rebounds per game (39.7) while the Lions rank 167th in rebounds allowed per game (35.2).
  • Yale ranks 32nd in blocks per game (4.5) while Columbia ranks 150th (2.8).
  • Columbia is 7-7 ATS on the road, while Yale is 7-2 ATS at home.
  • The total has gone under in 5 of the Bulldogs’ 9 home games, while 8 of the Lions’ 14 road games have gone over.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Bulldogs are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Lions are 2-3.
  • In their last five games, Yale has 3 unders and 2 overs, while Columbia has 3 overs and 2 unders.
  • The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.2, up from 8.7 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Lions have scored an average of 69.4 points per game (3.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.6 points per game (0.5 above their season average).