Columbia vs Cornell Prediction 1/5/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

In this article we will formulate a Columbia vs Cornell prediction for this College Basketball game on Monday, January 5th at Newman Arena in Ithaca, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this College Basketball matchup.

Columbia Lions Betting Preview

The Columbia Lions are 11-3 (0-0) this season after they defeated a non-D1 team by a score of 106-51 in their last game. Columbia led 54-33 at halftime and added 52 points in the second half in the blowout win. The Lions shot 57% from the field, 38% on three pointers, and 58% on free throws in the game. Gerard O’Keefe led Columbia with 19 points and three assists, while Mason Ritter added 16 points and four rebounds in the win. 

Prior to that game, Columbia defeated North Florida by a score of 90-82, but lost to California by a score of 74-56 before that. The Lions have scored 81.3 points per game with 44.0 rebounds and 17.4 assists per game, while they have allowed 67.1 points against per game this season. Kenny Noland is averaging 16.6 points and 3.8 assists per game, while Blair Thompson is averaging 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the Lions. Columbia is shooting 49.6% from the field, 71.1% on free throws, and 37.6% on three pointers this season. 

Cornell Big Red Betting Preview

The Cornell Big Red are 7-6 (0-0) this season after they defeated a non-D1 team by a score of 133-65 in their last game. Cornell led 69-23 at halftime and added 64 points in the second half for the easy win. The Big Red shot 65% from the field, 55% on three pointers, and 64% on free throws in the game. Gioacchino Panzini led Cornell with 26 points and five rebounds, while Adam Hinton added 18 points and five assists in the win. 

Prior to that game, Cornell lost to Michigan State by a score of 114-97, but did beat Albany by a score of 83-75 before that. The Big Red have scored 94.2 points per game with 37.4 rebounds and 22.9 assists per game, while they have allowed 85.5 points against per game this season. Cooper Noard is averaging 19.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, while Adam Hinton is averaging 14.4 points and 2.5 assists per game for the Big Red. Cornell is shooting 50.5% from the field, 72.8% on free throws, and 42.0% on three pointers this season. 

Why the Cornell Big Red will win

• Cornell has won each of its last nine games against Columbia.
• Columbia has lost each of its last nine road games against the Ivy League.
• Columbia has lost the first half in each of its last six road games against the Ivy League.

Why the Columbia Lions will win

• Columbia has won 10 of its last 12 games.

Total Points Facts

• Thirty-six of Columbia’s last 40 road games against the Ivy League have produced a total of 167 or fewer points.
• Seven of Cornell’s last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 173+ points.

Columbia vs Cornell Prediction 

Cornell comes into this matchup after losing three of their last four D1 games, but they played MSU pretty tight last week and they will be at home. The Big Red are shooting 51% from the field and they have scored at least 83 points in five straight games. Columbia has lost two of their last three D1 games, with all three coming on the road. The Lions are shooting 50% from the field and they have allowed at least 74 points in each of their last three games. I know Cornell plays almost no defense, but I like them at home here.

David Racey's Pick: Cornell ML