It will be a battle between Ivy opponents when the Yale Bulldogs (14-14, 7-5 Ivy) welcome the Penn Quakers (21-7, 11-1 Ivy) to John J. Lee Amphitheater. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 2, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 141.5 points with Penn opening as a 1-point favorite.
Penn Quakers vs. Yale Bulldogs Free Prediction
The Quakers will be looking for a similar outcome after narrowly defeating the Harvard Crimson in their last outing, 74-71. The Quakers had a turnover percentage of 11.6 (better than their season average of 15.0) and had a free throw rate of 0.294 (above their season average of 0.213). With 17 points on 7-for-11 shooting, AJ Brodeur was Penn’s leading scorer.
In the Bulldogs’ last game, they beat the Columbia Lions, 83-73. Yale’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Columbia. The Bulldogs had a rate of 11.6 (better than their season average of 17.3), while the Lions posted a mark of 17.7. Miye Oni was the game’s high scorer with 26 points on 8-for-15 shooting.
It could be a tough game for Yale on the offensive glass. The Bulldogs currently rank 265th in offensive rebounding percentage (26.4 percent), while Penn ranks 11th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.4 percent).
Penn is 21-7 straight up (SU), but they are just 10-13 against the spread (ATS). Quakers games tend to go over the O/U total (60.9 percent).
Meanwhile, Yale owns records of 14-14 SU and 8-11-1 ATS. Unlike Penn, Bulldogs games have typically finished under the total (60.0 percent).
Blake Reynolds has averaged 12.6 points and 6.4 rebounds over the last five games for Yale.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Bulldogs lost 59-50, unable to cover as 5.5-point underdogs. Paul Atkinson scored a game-high 20 points and also recorded 13 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 109 points, which was 32 points below the projected point total of 141 points. The Quakers’ offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over the Bulldogs. Penn had a rate of 28.2, while Yale posted a mark of 17.5.
Penn Quakers at Yale Bulldogs Odds Pick
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Penn, ATS Winner – Penn, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Penn is 6-6 ATS on the road with 9 overs and 3 unders.
At home, Yale is 2-3-1 ATS with 5 unders and 1 over.
Penn ranks 49th in rebounds per game (38.3) while Yale ranks 222nd (33.7).
The Quakers rank 29th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while the Bulldogs rank 180th (7.0).
Penn ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (9.5) while Yale ranks 144th (13.5).
The Quakers rank 41st in three pointers attempted per game (25.9) while the Bulldogs rank 63rd (24.7).
Yale ranks 35th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while Penn ranks 52nd (2.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Penn is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Yale is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Quakers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.4, up from 7.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 73.0 points per game (1.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.4 points per game (3.4 below their season average).
