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Princeton vs. Harvard Prediction and Odds (Oddsmakers Hinting at a Crimson Upset Over Tigers)

By Ben Heisler

Princeton senior guard Jaelin Llewellyn should continue his superb season on the road vs. the Harvard Crimson this afternoon.
Princeton senior guard Jaelin Llewellyn should continue his superb season on the road vs. the Harvard Crimson this afternoon. / Corey Perrine/GettyImages
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Fresh off a 74-67 loss on the road in Princeton, the Harvard Crimson finish off their home-in-home with the Tigers at noon ET today as they look for three consecutive covers vs. the spread.

The Tigers come in on a five-game win streak, with their latest victory on Friday night snapping the Crimson's chance at a three-game streak of their own.

Should the Tigers win out their final two games of the season (both on the road), they would win the Ivy League regular season title.

Can the Crimson make the race a little more interesting with a home upset? Here are the latest odds over at WynnBET Sportsbook.

Princeton vs. Harvard Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Princeton -2.5 (-110)
  • Harvard +2.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Princeton -145
  • Harvard +120

Total:

  • 140.5 (OVER -110 | UNDER -110)

Princeton vs. Harvard Prediction and Pick

The Tigers are a far superior team to the Crimson in almost every statistical category: 113th overall in KenPom's ratings compared to Harvard at 214. Princeton has one of the most efficient offenses in the country and matches up extremely well against Harvard's defense, particularly in three-point shooting. The Tigers shoot 38.1 percent from downtown, 16th best in the country and the Crimson haven't been able to stop teams from outside, ranking 323rd in all of college basketball in defensive three-point percentage.

So why is the line so close and moving in the direction of Harvard?

For starters, the Crimson have been a much better team at home this year, going 9-4-0 straight up with a margin of victory of almost eight points. They're also 6-4-0 following a loss this year.

Harvard also showed it can hang with the best team in the Ivy League, holding a two-point lead at halftime on the road before going cold in the second half and getting outscored 38-29 down the stretch; yet still enough to cover the 7.5 points.

What I think this comes down to is Harvard finally putting everything together in its last chance for a big statement in the Ivy League. The Crimson played very good basketball against the best two teams in the league, losing both their games against second place Yale by only three, and keeping it close versus Princeton last time out.

I'll back Harvard with the short turnaround at home to finally put it together. A moneyline sprinkle is very much in play, but due to the Crimson falling just short multiple times, I'd feel better about it on the spread.

LEAN: Harvard +2.5 (-110)

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting plays in real-time HERE.

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