Lehigh vs Columbia Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/12/24

The Lehigh Mountain Hawks are visiting the Columbia Lions on Tuesday, November 12th at the Francis S. Levien Gymnasium. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs. Columbia Lions Prediction.

Columbia Lions Preview

The Columbia Lions are perfect so far this season with a 3-0 record and they are tied with Princeton for the first place of the Ivy. The Lions are 1-0 on the road, with 1-0 against the spread, and are 2-1 in over/under.

Offensively, Columbia averages 84.7 points per game, which ranks 113th in the nation, while defensively they are below average, allowing 73.3 points per game (222nd). Columbia is in the middle of the pack in terms of shooting the ball, with a 46.9% field goal percentage (169th), and 34.2% from beyond the arc (182nd). They boast an elite free-throw percentage, with 80.8% (32nd).

Columbia is coming off an 83-62 home win against Delaware State, covering the -12-point spread and the game went under the 153.5-point total. The Lions did not shoot the ball very well, with 43.1% from the field, but were excellent in perimeter defense, holding Delaware State into just one three-pointer made. All of five Columbia’s starters scored double digits in this game, led by Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa with 19 points with 5 triples and 6 rebounds.

Geronimo Rubio de la Rosa leads Columbia in scoring this season, with 21.7 points and 5 rebounds, while Kenny Noland adds 14.3 points and 4 rebounds per game.

Lehigh Mountain Hawks Preview

The Lehigh Mountain Hawks are winless so far this season with a 0-2 record and are tied with three more teams in the last place of the Patriot. The Mountain Hawks are 0-2 on the road but 1-1 against the spread, and are 1-1 in over/under.

Offensively, Lehigh is struggling with just 61.5 points per game, which ranks 335th nationally, while they are also bottom-50 defensively, allowing 87.5 points per game (334th). Lehigh has below-average shooting percentages, with just 40.2% from the field (298th) and 30% from downtown (260th).

Lehigh is coming off a 77-85 road loss to Georgetown, covering the +13.5-point spread and the game went over the 149-point total. Lehigh shot the ball well, with 47% from the field and 43% from beyond the arc, but made just 65% of their free throws and got dominated in the glass, with 24-39 rebounds. Keith Higgins led Lehigh’s offense with 22 points, while Cam Gillus added 21 points with 5 triples, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Keith Higgins leads Lehigh in scoring this season with 13.5 points, while Cam Gillus adds 12.5 points and a team-high 5 rebounds. Lehigh will meet UCLA, St. Francis (PA), Marist, and Monmouth after this one.

Why the Columbia Lions will win

• Columbia has won each of its last nine night games against non-conference opponents.
• Lehigh has lost 18 of its last 19 road night games against non-conference opponents.
• Lehigh has lost the first half in each of its last eight road games against non-conference opponents.

Why the Lehigh Mountain Hawks will win

• Columbia has lost four of its last five home games.
• The road team has won three of Columbia’s last four games.
• Columbia has lost the first half in five of its last six night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Columbia’s last six home games against the Patriot League have produced a total of 155 or fewer points.
• Six of Lehigh’s last seven night games have produced a total of 139 or fewer points.

Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs Columbia Lions Prediction

Columbia leads Lehigh 6-2 wins in their 8 meetings, but they were just 4-4 against the spread. In this Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs. Columbia Lions Prediction, Columbia is coming as home favorites, and rightfully so. The Lions have been solid so far this season, having won all of their three games and their only weakness seems to be their defense, which would have no problem against a struggling Lehigh offense that ranks in the bottom 50 of the nation. I expect an easy Columbia win today, so take the Lions and lay the points at home.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Columbia Lions -8.5