The Ivy League crown hangs in the balance this Friday night when the Yale Bulldogs face off against the Cornell Big Red at Newman Arena. This clash pits the league’s top two teams, both sporting identical 8-1 conference records, in a game with massive implications.
Cornell Seeks Revenge as Yale’s Dominance is Challenged
Just two weeks ago, Yale edged Cornell in a nail-biter, 80-78, showcasing the razor-thin margin between these teams. Cornell aims for redemption on their undefeated home court (9-0). Overall Cornell is 19-4 on the year. Yale, with an impressive 8-5 road record, is poised to upset the hosts.
While Yale has historically dominated this matchup, winning 19 of the last 21 encounters, this battle is far from predictable. Cornell’s stellar field goal percentage (49.8%, 4th in the nation) and offensive prowess (83.6 PPG, 14th in the nation) make them a formidable opponent.
Key Scorers: Wolf vs. Manon
The battle within a battle will be between Yale’s Danny Wolf (14.7 PPG) and Cornell’s Chris Manon (12.7 PPG). Both forwards are pivotal to their teams’ success.
The Odds and Predictions
Despite being slight underdogs on the road (wagerweb sportsbook), Yale is attracting attention. The tight 1-point spread in Cornell’s favor, with a total of 155.5, suggests another close game. Interestingly, our predictive model goes against the grain, favoring a Yale upset with a final score of 75-69.
A Moment in Ivy League History
This rivalry dates back to 1898 when Yale triumphed 49-7, a testament to the long-standing tradition of Ivy League basketball excellence. On Friday, another chapter will be written, with the winner taking the driver’s seat towards the conference championship.
Game Details
- Date: Friday, February 23, 2024
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- TV: ESPN+
- Live Stream: Watch this game on ESPN+
- Where: Ithaca, New York
- Venue: Newman Arena
Don’t miss this showdown for Ivy League supremacy!