Cornell and Yale square off in the Ivy League Championship with a bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line. Yale enters as the No. 1 seed after a dominant regular season, while Cornell has been playing its best basketball down the stretch. Can the Big Red keep it close against a Yale squad that’s been nearly unbeatable at home?
Quick Handicap
- Cornell ATS Record: 16-9-1 (7-3 last 10)
- Yale ATS Record: 17-10-0 (6-4 last 10)
- Head-to-Head: Yale won both regular-season matchups, 103-88 at Cornell and 92-88 at Yale.
- Cornell’s Last 10 Games: 6-4 SU, 7-3 ATS
- Yale’s Last 10 Games: 9-1 SU, 5-5 ATS
Matchup Breakdown
Cornell Offense vs. Yale Defense
Cornell boasts one of the most efficient offenses in the Ivy League, ranking 6th nationally in scoring at 85.1 points per game and 4th in field goal percentage (49.9%). The Big Red are lethal from beyond the arc, hitting 37.5% of their threes (30th) while averaging 11.2 made threes per game (4th).
Yale, however, brings one of the Ivy League’s toughest defenses, holding opponents to just 40.1% shooting (19th) and limiting three-point shooters to 32.7% (139th). In the last matchup, Yale allowed Cornell to hit 15 threes but still outpaced them offensively.
Yale’s Offense vs. Cornell’s Defense
Yale’s offensive balance has been a problem for Ivy League opponents all season. The Bulldogs average 69.2 points per game (106th), but they’re shooting an impressive 43.0% in the first half (260th), helping them jump out to early leads.
Cornell’s defense is vulnerable inside, giving up 61.4 field goal attempts per game (236th) and struggling to protect the paint. Yale’s ability to control tempo and create high-percentage looks could be the difference.
Key Factors
- Cornell’s Fast Pace: Cornell averages 19.2 assists per game (2nd nationally) and thrives in transition.
- Yale’s Home Court Edge: Yale is undefeated at home (11-0), which could play a major role.
- Perimeter Shooting: Cornell lives and dies by the three-pointer — if they shoot well, they can cover; if not, Yale could pull away.
