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The Ivy League “Friday Night Lights” tradition continues at the historic Palestra as the Columbia Lions (14-8, 3-5 Ivy) visit the Penn Quakers (11-10, 4-4 Ivy). This matchup carries significant weight for the middle of the conference standings, where both programs are fighting to secure a spot in the four-team Ivy League Tournament. Columbia is looking to steady the ship after a 21-point blowout loss to Cornell, while Penn enters with momentum following a dramatic one-point victory over rival Princeton.
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The Palestra is one of the most difficult venues for visiting teams in mid-major basketball, and Penn has leaned on that home-court edge to produce an 8-2 record in Philadelphia this season. However, Columbia has already proven they can solve this Quakers roster, having secured a 72-67 win in New York just two weeks ago. Tonight’s rematch offers Penn a chance at redemption in a venue where they historically dominate the Lions.
Columbia vs Penn Odds
Betting lines for this Ivy League clash opened with Penn as a small home favorite, reflecting their strong performance at The Palestra. Bettors should monitor the latest college basketball odds for any late movement, particularly as the total has seen some early action toward the under.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Columbia | +126 | +3.5 (-120) | O 149.5 (-110) |
| Penn | -158 | -3.5 (-106) | U 149.5 (-110) |
Columbia Betting Form
Columbia’s offense has been their primary calling card this season, averaging 78.9 points per game and shooting an efficient 48.2% from the floor. Junior guard Kenny Noland remains the focal point of the attack, recently pouring in 21 points despite the team’s struggles against Cornell. The Lions are at their best when they can move the ball, ranking in the top 150 nationally in assist rate, which helps them find high-percentage looks for shooters like Blair Thompson and Gerard O’Keefe.
Despite their 14-8 record, Columbia has struggled with consistency on the road, where they hold a 5-5 mark. Their defense occasionally disappears, as seen in their recent loss where they allowed Cornell to shoot over 53% from the field. For a closer look at their ATS trends in conference road games, you can visit the Columbia stats and results page. Additionally, check the Columbia injury report for the status of their bench rotation, which was shortened in their last outing.
Penn Betting Form
The Quakers are a completely different team when playing under the cathedral ceilings of The Palestra. Their 8-2 home record is fueled by elite perimeter shooting, as the team connects on 38.7% of their attempts from beyond the arc in their home building. TJ Power has been the standout performer lately, leading the way with 18 points in the win over Princeton and 23 points in the first meeting against Columbia.
Penn’s offense is built on “effective” shooting rather than volume, ranking highly in effective field goal percentage (51.2%). Under first-year coach Fran McCaffery, the Quakers have emphasized ball security, which was a key factor in their upset over Princeton. You can review their full seasonal trajectory on the Penn schedule and stats page. Be sure to check the Penn injury report before tip-off, as senior leader Ethan Roberts has been dealing with an undisclosed injury that sidelined him in previous weeks.
Columbia vs Penn Matchup Breakdown
The battle for tempo will likely dictate the outcome of this contest. Columbia wants to use its superior field goal percentage to force a high-scoring affair, while Penn prefers the controlled, half-court environment of The Palestra. In the first meeting, Columbia won the rebounding battle 40-33, which allowed them to overcome 16 turnovers. Penn must do a better job of limiting second-chance opportunities for Connor Igoe, who notched a double-double in the first matchup.
- Three-Point Variance: Penn makes nearly 10 triples per game at home. If AJ Levine and Michael Zanoni get hot early, Columbia’s defense often struggles to close out effectively.
- Turnover Battle: Columbia turns it over 13.3 times per game, while Penn is much more disciplined at 11.1. In a game with a 3.5-point spread, those extra possessions are the difference between a cover and a loss.
- Paint Presence: Columbia’s Mason Ritter is a defensive anchor, but he will be tested by TJ Power’s ability to stretch the floor and pull rim protectors away from the basket.
For those interested in historical trends, our college basketball betting guide notes that home teams in the Ivy League “back-to-back” schedule often have a distinct advantage in the second meeting of the season series.
Columbia vs Penn Predictions and Best Bets
While Columbia won the first meeting, the venue change to The Palestra is a massive factor. Penn’s 8-2 home record isn’t a fluke; they shoot significantly better in their own gym and have the defensive discipline to force Columbia into long, contested possessions. I expect TJ Power to continue his hot hand, and if AJ Levine can provide the secondary scoring he showed against Princeton, the Quakers should be able to cover this small number.
Regarding the total, 149.5 feels high for a game involving two teams that rank near the bottom of the country in adjusted tempo (279th and 294th). While the first meeting reached 139 points, a tighter, more defensive-minded game is expected as the playoff race intensifies. I expect a score closer to 74-70 in favor of the home team.
Best Bet: Penn -3.5 (-106) and Under 149.5 (-110).
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