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Dartmouth Big Green vs Columbia Lions Picks and Predictions – Saturday January 24, 2026
Dartmouth and Columbia meet in an Ivy League matchup on Saturday, January 24 at 2:00 PM ET, with the game set for Edward Leede Arena in Hanover, New Hampshire on ESPN+. This is one of those conference games where the number is telling you plenty: basically a pickem, with Columbia laying a point and a half and the moneyline sitting near even.
Columbia is priced as the slight favorite at -1.5 (-107) and -121 on the moneyline, while Dartmouth is +1.5 (-118) and -105 ML. The total is 156.5, which is a big ask for an Ivy game unless both offenses keep getting clean threes and the whistle cooperates.
Dartmouth Big Green vs Columbia Lions Odds
These are the current betting lines, and in tight Ivy matchups you can see late movement on both the side and total. Keep an eye on updated college basketball odds before you play it.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth Big Green | -105 | +1.5 (-118) | 156.5 |
| Columbia Lions | -121 | -1.5 (-107) | 156.5 |
Dartmouth Big Green Betting Form
Dartmouth comes in off a clean, pressure-tested 71-69 win over Princeton, and that’s the kind of result that matters for betting. You’re seeing them execute late, rebound, and find enough scoring without needing a perfect shooting night. Kareem Thomas driving the offense and Brandon Mitchell-Day controlling the glass is a useful combo when you’re catching points in a tight spread.
The Dartmouth angle is spacing and shot volume. They’ve been efficient enough to score with confidence, and they can put real stress on defenses when their shooters are ready to fire early in possessions. That matters in a short-number game, because you’re not asking Dartmouth to dominate. You’re asking them to stay connected, win a couple of 50-50 stretches, and make just enough shots at home. If you want the deeper profile, here are Dartmouth stats and results.
From a totals perspective, Dartmouth can score, but they’re also comfortable playing a more controlled game if the matchup demands it. If Dartmouth gets selective and leans into half-court possessions, it reduces the total possession count and makes 156.5 harder to reach without crazy efficiency.
Columbia Lions Betting Form
Columbia is coming off a loss to Yale, but the shooting efficiency in that game is still worth noting. The Lions can put points on the board when they’re getting clean looks, and they don’t need a frantic pace to do it. Kenny Noland is the kind of scorer who can stabilize an offense on the road, and that’s a big deal in a near-pickem where one cold stretch can decide the spread.
The key betting note here is context: Columbia’s strong home record doesn’t apply in this spot, because they’re the road team in Hanover. That puts more pressure on their ball security and defensive rebounding, especially if Dartmouth is getting extra possessions or early threes in rhythm. For a team snapshot and recent results, here are Columbia schedule and stats.
Columbia’s rebounding profile can travel, and that’s the cleanest way for them to control game flow in this building. If they’re winning the defensive glass and limiting second chances, they can keep Dartmouth from stacking quick runs that swing the number.
Dartmouth Big Green vs Columbia Lions Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is about who controls shot quality first, and pace second. Both teams are capable offensively, but neither is built to sprint for 40 minutes the way a true up-tempo team does. If Dartmouth is getting early threes and Columbia is answering with efficient half-court looks, you can see why the total is inflated.
The side comes down to possession edges. Dartmouth’s path is pretty direct: take care of the ball, rebound well enough to avoid getting buried in second-chance points, and let the home environment help their shooters. Columbia’s path is to win the glass, keep Dartmouth out of transition threes, and force longer possessions where Dartmouth has to score later in the clock.
Travel and comfort matter here. Columbia’s trip is manageable, but it’s still a road conference game, and those often tighten late. If this is a one-possession game in the final four minutes, free throws and late shot selection decide it. That’s also where totals can get weird, either through late fouling or through conservative possessions that bleed clock.
Dartmouth Big Green vs Columbia Lions Predictions and Best Bets
I’m leaning Dartmouth +1.5 because the number is so small and Dartmouth is at home in a building where they’re comfortable playing their style. You’re not paying a premium, and you’re getting a game script that fits: tight, physical, and decided late. Even if Columbia wins, this looks like a finish that frequently lands inside one possession.
On the total, I lean under 156.5. The number assumes a fairly efficient game for both sides, and that’s not always how Ivy games play when the second half tightens. If Dartmouth makes it a half-court game and Columbia has to work deeper into possessions, the scoring pace can flatten out for long stretches.
The one way the under gets burned is if both teams are raining threes early and the game never slows down. That’s possible, but at this number I’d rather bet on regression and a tighter second half than a full 40 minutes of clean shooting.
Best Bet: Under 156.5
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re playing more than one Ivy game, it’s worth scanning the full slate on the college basketball picks page and comparing how other tight spreads are being priced. For more matchup reads in this format, the NCAAB previews hub keeps everything organized and easy to cross-check.
For broader team context and quick comparisons, the NCAAB teams hub and the main ScoresAndStats blog are useful when you’re building a card. If you’re evaluating where to place your bets, sportsbook reviews and handicappers sites reviews can help you shop pricing and avoid bad platforms.
If you want to follow proven performance, start with the Best Handicappers page and track current form on the handicappers leaderboard. And if you prefer to tail verified premium selections, you can access them through Buy Picks.
