By Amir Mamdani, Harvard Crimson Staff Writer
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Pennsylvania at Cornell, 5:00 PM.
Despite losing standout Ryan Betley to a season-ending injury, the Quakers have looked every bit the part of Ivy League defending champs this season. Penn secured the Big 5 title by going undefeated against Philadelphia rivals Villanova, St. Joe?s, La Salle, and Temple, but dropped both games to Princeton to get the Ivy League season started. Expect the Quakers to come out firing against a mediocre Cornell team that split the Empire State series with Columbia.
The Pick: Penn by 8 or more.
Brown at Dartmouth, 7:00pm.
The Bears had a tough start to the season, opening up with two games against travel partner Yale. After dropping both contests, expect Brown to come out hungry Friday night against the Big Green, as the Bears? chances at qualifying for the tournament dwindle significantly if they can?t pull out at least one win against Dartmouth and Harvard. Nevertheless, expect a Big Green team that has somewhat surprised after being picked last in the preseason poll, to protect the home court that spurred them to an 18-point win over Harvard.
The Pick: Dartmouth by 3 or more.
Princeton at Columbia, 7:00pm.
This is a tough game to pick. After a late-night incident at a Princeton Wawa, the Tigers have been without their best player, senior guard Devin Cannady, who has been suspended indefinitely following his arrest. Nevertheless, the Tigers have jumped out to a 2-0 start with wins over Penn before Cannady?s suspension, putting Princeton in strong position to cling to an Ivy League Tournament spot. Columbia hasn?t impressed thus far against Cornell and non-conference opposition, and stands at 1-1 in Ivy Play. I like Mitch Henderson?s team to come out prepared for the New York trip, knowing that weekends against stiffer opposition in the form of Harvard, Yale, and Brown all loom in the coming weeks.
The Pick: Princeton by 4 or more.
Yale at Harvard, 7:00pm.
It feels a bit ill-fitting that Harvard-Yale is being played on the first weekend of Ivy League action - nevertheless, Lavietes will surely be packed to the brim for Friday night?s nationally televised contest on ESPNU. The Bulldogs have looked good in two close wins over Brown, and have won eight straight games dating back to a December 8th loss at Duke. This contest should be a good measuring bar for two of the Ivy League?s blue bloods, and league favorites alongside Penn. Ultimately, the Bulldogs are a bit healthier, with the Crimson still missing Seth Towns. I would expect Harvard to be favored here, but it?s hard to pick against a Yale team that?s been pretty impressive behind Miye Oni.
The Pick: Yale by 2 or more.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Pennsylvania at Cornell, 5:00 PM.
Despite losing standout Ryan Betley to a season-ending injury, the Quakers have looked every bit the part of Ivy League defending champs this season. Penn secured the Big 5 title by going undefeated against Philadelphia rivals Villanova, St. Joe?s, La Salle, and Temple, but dropped both games to Princeton to get the Ivy League season started. Expect the Quakers to come out firing against a mediocre Cornell team that split the Empire State series with Columbia.
The Pick: Penn by 8 or more.
Brown at Dartmouth, 7:00pm.
The Bears had a tough start to the season, opening up with two games against travel partner Yale. After dropping both contests, expect Brown to come out hungry Friday night against the Big Green, as the Bears? chances at qualifying for the tournament dwindle significantly if they can?t pull out at least one win against Dartmouth and Harvard. Nevertheless, expect a Big Green team that has somewhat surprised after being picked last in the preseason poll, to protect the home court that spurred them to an 18-point win over Harvard.
The Pick: Dartmouth by 3 or more.
Princeton at Columbia, 7:00pm.
This is a tough game to pick. After a late-night incident at a Princeton Wawa, the Tigers have been without their best player, senior guard Devin Cannady, who has been suspended indefinitely following his arrest. Nevertheless, the Tigers have jumped out to a 2-0 start with wins over Penn before Cannady?s suspension, putting Princeton in strong position to cling to an Ivy League Tournament spot. Columbia hasn?t impressed thus far against Cornell and non-conference opposition, and stands at 1-1 in Ivy Play. I like Mitch Henderson?s team to come out prepared for the New York trip, knowing that weekends against stiffer opposition in the form of Harvard, Yale, and Brown all loom in the coming weeks.
The Pick: Princeton by 4 or more.
Yale at Harvard, 7:00pm.
It feels a bit ill-fitting that Harvard-Yale is being played on the first weekend of Ivy League action - nevertheless, Lavietes will surely be packed to the brim for Friday night?s nationally televised contest on ESPNU. The Bulldogs have looked good in two close wins over Brown, and have won eight straight games dating back to a December 8th loss at Duke. This contest should be a good measuring bar for two of the Ivy League?s blue bloods, and league favorites alongside Penn. Ultimately, the Bulldogs are a bit healthier, with the Crimson still missing Seth Towns. I would expect Harvard to be favored here, but it?s hard to pick against a Yale team that?s been pretty impressive behind Miye Oni.
The Pick: Yale by 2 or more.
