The Columbia Lions will play the Princeton Tigers in an Ivy League game on Friday night at Jadwin Gymnasium in Princeton, New Jersey. Let’s take a look at the Columbia preview, Princeton preview, betting matchup, and the Columbia vs Princeton prediction.
Columbia Preview
The Columbia Lions are 13-11 (4-7) this year after they lost to Yale by a score of 84-76 in their last game. Columbia only trailed 35-33 at the half, but they were out scored 49-43 in the second half for the loss. The Lions shot 54.3% from the field and made 17 free throws in the game. Columbia has lost three games in a row, with the other losses coming against Brown and Harvard by a combined seven points. The Lions are scoring 77.5 points per game with 36.2 rebounds per game and 17.5 assists per game, while allowing 70.4 points against per game this year. Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa is averaging 14.2 points per game, 4.0 rebounds per game, and 2.9 assists per game. Columbia is shooting 47% from the field, 74.4% on free throws, and 38% on three pointers this season.
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Princeton Preview
The Princeton Tigers are 21-3 (9-2) this season after they defeated Dartmouth by a score of 68-56 in their last game. Princeton trailed 34-30 at halftime, but they out scored Dartmouth 38-22 in the second half for the win. The Tigers shot 42.3% from the field and made 10 three pointers in the game. Princeton has won six games in a row and only has league losses to Yale and Cornell so far this season. The Tigers are scoring 75.4 points per game with 34 rebounds per game and 14.5 assists per game, while giving up 63.7 points against per game this season. Xaivian Lee is averaging 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. Princeton is shooting 45.5% from the field, 80.7% on free throws, and 35.1% on three pointers this year.
Columbia vs Princeton Betting Prediction
Princeton rolls into this game on a six game winning streak and they are currently tied for first in the Ivy League with Cornell and Yale, so every game is very important. The Tigers are only allowing 63.7 points against per game this year and they are one of the best free throw shooting teams in the country. Columbia has lost three games in a row and their defense has allowed 80+ points in two of their last three games. Princeton won the first meeting between these teams by a score of 70-62 and while I like them to get the win, I think this is too many points. Give me Columbia on the road.