Las Vegas NCAA Picks: Columbia Lions vs Harvard Crimson
Saturday, February 04, 2012
by Joe Rodriguez
Harvard Crimson, off to its best Ivy League start in more than three decades, will try to keep its 24-game home win streak alive when it takes on Columbia Lions.
The No. 23 Crimson, who defeated Cornell 71-60 on Friday, improved to 5-0 in conference play for the first time since 1980-81. Now, they'll take on a Columbia team who they've had success against, at least in the last few seasons.
Though Columbia leads the all-time series 93-73, Harvard has won each of the last five meetings. The Crimson have also won five of the last eight against the Lions at home.
- Columbia Lions @ Harvard Crimson
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Where: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette, Indiana
TV: 7 p.m. ET, No TV
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Justbet Sportsbook currently have the Crimson listed as 15½-point favorites versus the Lions.
Columbia Lions (13-8): After defeating Dartmouth 64-62 on Friday, Columbia will get its second crack at a ranked foe against the Crimson. The Lions previously played then-No. 4 Connecticut in the season opener, a 70-57 loss. The Lions are 7-4 on the road and have been competitive throughout Ivy League play despite a 2-3 conference record. Their three losses have come by a combined 11 points, and all of them have been by five or less. Brian Barbour, a junior guard, had 13 points against Dartmouth and has reached double figures in seven straight games.
Harvard Crimson (19-2): Harvard's defense, which ranks fourth nationally, had another big day against Cornell. The Crimson have yet to allow an Ivy League opponent to score more than 60 points, which has helped them win each of their five conference games by nine or more. Kyle Casey leads the team in scoring with 11 points, but Laurent Rivard did most of the damage against Cornell with a game-high 16 points. Rivard averages 10.7 points for the Crimson, who are 7-0 at home this season and haven't lost in Lavietes Pavilion since a 79-70 defeat to Cornell on Feb. 19, 2010.
1. Columbia’s defense ranks 21st in the country.
2. The Lions’ last seven games have been decided by seven points or less.
3. A win over Columbia would give Harvard its third straight 20-win season.
BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Crimson 65, Lions 47.
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