Columbia vs Cornell Prediction 3/8/25 College Basketball Picks

The Columbia Lions are visiting the Cornell Big Red on Saturday, March 8th at the Newman Arena, in this Ivy League matchup. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Columbia Lions vs Cornell Big Red Prediction. We will examine:

The Cornell Big Red’s recent form and player performance

The Columbia Lions’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Cornell Big Red

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Columbia Lions

Recent betting trends in games played between the Columbia Lions and Cornell Big Red

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Columbia Lions vs Cornell Big Red game

Cornell Big Red Preview

The Cornell Big Red have a 16-10 record this season and are tied with Dartmouth in the second place of the Ivy. The Big Red are coming off a 102-70 win over Princeton. The Big Red are 14-9-1 against the spread, and 14-9-1 in over/under, while having an 8-5 home record.

Offensively, Cornell is averaging 84.5 points per game, which is the 8th-best in the nation. Defensively, they are allowing 77.2 points per game (317th). The Big Red shoot 49.5% from the field, which is the 6th-best in the nation, and 37.5% from beyond the arc (31st). The Big Red shoot 74.8% from the free throw line (87th) and are grabbing 35.1 rebounds per game (190th).

Nazir Williams leads Cornell scoring this season, with an average of 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, while Cooper Noard adds 13.6 points and 3 rebounds per game.  

Columbia Lions Preview

The Columbia Lions have a 12-14 record this season and are sitting in the last place of the Ivy, and have already been eliminated from the upcoming league tournament. They are coming off an 87-92 loss to Penn. The Lions are 7-15-1 against the spread, and 11-12-1 in over/under while having a 3-8 road record. 

Offensively, Columbia is averaging 78.3 points per game, which ranks 72nd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 77.3 points per game (319th). The Lions shoot 46.6% from the field (89th) and 34.1% from beyond the arc (186th). The Lions shoot 73.8% from the free-throw line (120th) and are grabbing 34.8 rebounds per game (206th).

Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa leads Columbia in scoring this season, with an average of 17.2 points and 2.9 rebounds, while Kenny Noland adds 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and a team-high 3.3 assists per game.

Why the Cornell Big Red will win

• Cornell has won each of its last nine day games against Columbia.
• Columbia has lost 18 of its last 19 games against the Ivy League.
• Cornell has won the first half in each of its last seven games against Columbia.

Why the Columbia Lions will win

• Cornell has lost the first half in three of its last four day games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Thirty-six of Columbia’s last 39 road games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 167 or fewer points.
• Seventeen of Cornell’s last 18 Saturday home games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 169 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Cornell ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for effective field goal percentage this season (58.7%).
• Cornell ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (19.2).
• Columbia ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for opponent assists per game this season (18.2).
• Columbia ranks 359th among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point percentage this season (38.0%).

Columbia Lions vs Cornell Big Red Prediction

Cornell has been dominating Columbia in recent years, having won their last 8 meetings going back to 2020. Cornell is 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 meetings and over is 8-2. In their previous meeting earlier this season, Cornell won 94-83 on the road, covering the spread, as the game went over the point total.

In this Columbia Lions vs Cornell Big Red Prediction, Cornell is coming as a -10.5 home favorites. Cornell is rightfully favored, as they have a better record this season, and have been very good at home, while Columbia has been struggling on the road. Columbia has already been eliminated from the upcoming league tournament, while Cornell is still playing for a better placement. The Big Red are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games, while the Lions are struggling mightily lately, as they are 1-9 in their last 10 games and 0-9-1 against the spread. Cornell has already won Columbia this season by 11 points on the road, and I expect them to do so again at home in a dominant fashion. Give me the Cornell Big Red and the points at home.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Cornell Big Red -10.5