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Yale vs Princeton Prediction and Odds (Tigers Avoid Upset and Roll Into March Madness)

By Brian Giuffra

Princeton has the talent to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament.
Princeton has the talent to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament. / Rachel O'Driscoll/GettyImages
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The Ivy League final features a very dangerous Princeton squad playing a surging Yale team with everything on the line. Win and you're dancing. Lose and it's see ya next year. Who gets that coveted invite to March Madness? I like the Tigers and I'll tell you why after we check out the odds from WynnBET.

Yale vs Princeton Prediction Odds, Spread and Total

Spread

  • Yale +3.5 (-110)
  • Princeton -3.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Yale +140
  • Princeton -170

Total:

  • 143 (Over -110/Under -110)

Yale vs Princeton Prediction and Pick

Princeton is a classic Ivy League team that could pull a few upsets in the NCAA Tournament. They are 29th in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency on Ken Pom and make 38.7% of their 3-point shots, sixth-best in the nation. Their effective field goal % is fifth-best in the country (57.0%) and they're on an eight-game winning streak. What could go wrong?

Everything, of course, because this is March and this is a rivalry game against a team that's already beat Princeton at home. That's right. Yale handed the Tigers a 80-74 loss in New Jersey in late January, one of only three losses Princeton has suffered in the new year. But just because the Bulldogs beat Princeton once doesn't mean it will happen again. In fact, I see the Tigers pulling away in this one.

First off, Princeton avenged their loss to Yale in late February, an 81-75 win. Second, Princeton has more offensive power than Yale, with four players averaging over 10 points per game to Yale's two. Finally, Yale is 198th in adjusted offensive efficiency nationally and 115th on defense, according to Ken Pom. I'll go with the team that is statistically better in all categories. That's Princeton.

Simply put, the Tigers are a team that should not only beat Yale by 4+ points, but I could see them pulling an upset or two in the NCAA Tournament. They have all the makings of a dangerous Ivy League team in March, and I don't see them slipping up in their biggest game of the season, though this should be close until the end when Princeton's 64.6% free-throw percentage (349th in the country) should make bettors sweat.

Lean: Princeton -3.5

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