Harvard Crimson vs Cornell Big Red

This NCAAB matchup features Harvard Crimson (14-10 (7-4)) traveling to take on Cornell Big Red (12-11 (5-3)) at Newman Arena, Ithaca, NY. The Cornell hold a clear statistical edge this season, outperforming the Harvard by 3.2 points per game in scoring margin. That differential will be a key factor in this matchup. On offense, Cornell averages 90.3 points per game, which exceeds what the Harvard defense typically allows (67.8 PPG). That mismatch could give the home side opportunities to exploit. Meanwhile, Harvard scores 70.8 PPG but faces a Cornell defense that limits opponents to 84.1 PPG. The home team's defensive effort could be the difference-maker. Home court advantage is worth approximately 3.5 points in NCAAB, and Cornell will look to leverage their home crowd. Our model projects Cornell to win by approximately 4.3 points. The 68% confidence interval ranges from Cornell winning by 18 to losing by 9. Our model aligns closely with the market on this one, suggesting the oddsmakers have priced this game efficiently. Look for small edges in the total and moneyline markets to capitalize on any remaining value.

Cornell enters at 12-11 (5-3), hovering around the .500 mark. They've shown flashes of strong play but haven't been able to sustain consistency. At home, they'll look to put together a complete performance and build momentum. Harvard sits at 14-10 (7-4) on the season. They've been competitive in most outings but have had their share of inconsistent performances. On the road, they'll need to bring their best effort to come away with a win. When these teams meet, the home team typically has the edge given the crowd advantage and familiarity factor. The team that controls tempo and limits turnovers will likely dictate the outcome of this matchup.