Games commence in the Ivy League conference tournament on Saturday with the top four teams from the regular season. This means that only the semi-finals and championship games will be played. As part of our NCAA Basketball Picks, we will give a preview and analyze the game between the Yale Bulldogs and the Cornell Big Red scheduled for March 16 at the Levien Gym.
Yale Bulldogs
The Yale Bulldogs are on a mission to make the 2024 NCAA tournament after a wonderful season in the Ivy League Conference. Ranked third on the log, which automatically qualifies them for the postseason tournament, they face the Cornell Big Red in a semi-final clash. They won three consecutive games on their way to the end of the season, only to lose their final game to the Brown Bears. The team could have won this game if not for their complacency after a 43-36 first-half win. They allowed the Bears to level in the second half and lost control in overtime, finally surrendering to a defeat. With that past, they focus on their next game against the Big Reds – a game that could send them into the finals of the Ivy League tournament. They must pick themselves up from where they stopped and put in one of those performances that brought them to this stage.
Cornell Big Red
The game against the Yale Bulldogs is a crucial fixture for James Jones as he looks to guide his team to their first NCAA tournament since 2010. They’ve clearly shown a glimpse that they have the quality it takes to make it happen after finishing the Ivy League regular season in second position to make the postseason tournament. Coming into this fixture with a convincing win over the Columbia Lions, we hope they can maintain this momentum against the Bulldogs on Saturday. It is the third time these teams will play each other this season, and Brian Earl is looking to make it his second win. However, he knows he’s facing a competitive side, and it wouldn’t be an easy mission. But since he has done it before, he will go into this game hoping to do it again and capitalize on the loopholes from the Yale Bulldog’s recent loss.
Head-to-Head Bulldogs vs Big Red
These two teams have always been at loggerheads. In the past five meetings, the Yale Bulldogs have won three while the Cornell Big Red have won two. The most recent was in the 2024 Ivy League regular season, with each team winning on their home court. This time, it will be a different atmosphere, playing on a neutral court – the Levien Gym. They last met in a postseason game in March 2023, with the Bulldogs winning 80-60. They battle in another postseason game on Saturday, with BetVictor providing numerous college basketball betting options for the game. You only have to sign up to wager, whether betting on the teams or player props.
Yale vs Cornell Predictions
Both teams come into this game with good records. They both finished the Ivy League regular season 11-3, so we expect an explosive display from both sides. However, we expect bookmakers to favor the Bulldogs due to their recent records. However, the Big Reds have better numbers in the 2023/24 season, averaging 83 points, 35.6 rebounds and 18 assists per game compared to the Bulldogs, which averages 75.8 points, 36.6 rebounds and 15.1 assists per game. Nevertheless, any of the teams could make it into the conference tournament final. We advise bettors intending to wager on this game to manage their gambling properly, as nothing is guaranteed in betting. In other words, it should be seen as a form of entertainment.
Players To Look Out For
Whether you’re backing the Yale Bulldogs to win or the Cornell Big Red, one thing is certain—they both own quality players who can change the dynamics of a game. Chris Manon, Nazir Williams, Guy Ragland Jr., and Isaiah Gray have been outstanding for the Big Red. Manon and Williams average the most points per game for the team, 12.6 and 11.7, while Ragland Jr. tops the chart for the most rebounds per game.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs have players who can surely match the Big Red. Danny Wolf and John Poulakidas average 14.4 and 13 points per game and will look to lead their team to a win in this contest. The Bulldogs can also rely on Bez Mbeng, Matt Knowling and August Mahoney to make things happen on the night.
All odds are correct at time of publishing and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly 18+
