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Cornell vs. Dartmouth Prediction and Odds (Don't Take the Bait with the Trap Line)

By Ben Heisler

Dartmouth's Brendan Barry is averaging just under 15 points per night for the Big Green.
Dartmouth's Brendan Barry is averaging just under 15 points per night for the Big Green. / Corey Perrine/GettyImages
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The Darmouth Big Green can't wait to be back home.

Losers of three in a row in four consecutive games at home in Ivy League action, they return home to Hanover to face Cornell in a battle of the "Big Christmas colors" (Big Red vs. Big Green).

Cornell, meanwhile has played four straight in their home building and kicks off their final stretch of their conference schedule with three of the next four games at home.

While Big Red has had a much better season overall than Big Green, the oddsmakers expect a very close matchup today.

Here are the latest odds over at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Cornell vs. Dartmouth Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Cornell +1 (-110)
  • Dartmouth -1 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Cornell -105
  • Dartmouth -115

Total:

  • 145 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Cornell vs. Dartmouth Prediction and Pick

This looks like an extremely fishy line, and a trap that I'd like to avoid as a bettor.

At first glance, it appears that the wrong team is favored. Dartmouth is 5-15 overall and comes off a bonafide ass-kicking at Princeton, getting more than doubled up in an 85-40 loss at the end of their four-game trip. They've won two games overall in the Ivy League, both against bottom 4 teams in Brown and Columbia.

Meanwhile, Cornell is exciting and fun on the offensive end of the ball. They're third in the country in pace, 34th in effective field goal percentage and shoot over 56% from two-point range. Their defense doesn't leave much to be desired, ranking 243rd in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency rankings.

So why is Dartmouth favored?

I see two reasons. The first is they finally are back home after a grueling trip away. As a home underdog, Dartmouth is 2-0-2 against the spread this season, remaining competitive in every match.

The second is the Big Green's ability to hit clutch free throws at the charity stripe. Dartmouth shoots 77.3% from the line compared to 71.1% for Cornell. With a few more calls likely to go their way at home, that offers a key advantage.

The oddsmakers want you to look at Darmouth's awful overall record and think this is easy money to back Cornell. I'd advise not taking the trap.

PICK: Dartmouth -1 (-110)

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting picks in real-time HERE!

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