Princeton Tigers vs. Yale Bulldogs Betting Preview

Princeton Tigers (15-2 SU, 9-6 ATS) vs. Yale Bulldogs (13-6 SU, 9-7-1 ATS)

When: Friday, February 2nd, 7:00 PM (ET)

Where: John J. Lee Amphitheater, CT, New Haven

TV: ESPNU

Point Spread: PRNCE +3.5/YALE -3.5

Total: 140.5

Money Line: Princeton Tigers +140/-173

Notable Injuries

Tigers

• Deven Austin (Out) Knee
• Jackson Hicke (Out) Arm

Bulldogs

Recent Form

Princeton comes into this game with an overall record of 15-2, including a 3-1 mark in Ivy League play. The Tigers have been especially good on the road this season, going 8-2 compared to a perfect 5-0 record at home.

So far, Princeton has been the underdog in four of their 17 games, going 3-1 in those contests. For the season, the Tigers have an average scoring margin of +6.7 points per game on the road.

Today’s over/under line of 140.5 is right in line with the average over/under line in Princeton’s games this season (141.2). So far, 7 of their games have had a higher over/under line than today’s line. Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 138 points, which is below today’s line.

Princeton has an ATS record of 9-6 this season, including a mark of 5-5 vs. the spread on the road. As the underdog, the Tigers have gone 3-1 vs. the spread this year. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, Princeton has an ATS record of 7-3.

Yale enters this game as the favorite, and they have been the favorite in 12 of their 19 games this season. They have a record of 9-3 when favored. The Bulldogs are 3-1 at home this season, and they have won four of their last five games at home.

Overall, Yale has won six straight games, and they are 13-6 on the season. In Ivy League play, they are 4-0, and their average scoring margin at home is +10.2 points per game.

Today’s over/under line of 140.5 is in line with the average over/under line in Yale’s games this season (142). So far, the over/under record for the Bulldogs is 11-6. In their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1. On the season, 10 of their games have finished with more points than today’s line.

Yale’s ATS record for the season is currently 9-7-1, including a mark of 2-2 at home. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Bulldogs have gone 4-5-1 vs. the spread.

Analysis

The Princeton offense is coming off a game where they scored 68 points against Cornell. They posted a field goal percentage of 32.2% and connected on 5 threes. Xaivian Lee led the scoring for the Tigers, contributing 17 points. Additionally, Zach Martini chipped in with 9 points.

The Tigers’ defense is presently ranked 23rd nationally, allowing an average of 64.4 points per contest. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, Princeton’s defense has allowed opponents to shoot 39.6% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 29.7% this season.

The Yale offense is coming off a game in which they scored 78 points vs. Harvard. Overall their field goal percentage was 45.8% while connecting on 12 threes. Offensively, the Bulldogs have a season long field goal percentage of 46%, which is 136th in the nation. In terms of three-pointers, they are 122nd in percentage and 201st in three-pointers made.

So far, the Bulldogs’ defense is ranked 62nd in the country at 66.9 points per contest. Yale’s three-point defense is currently 117th in the country at 6.9 made threes per game. In terms of overall field goal percentage, opponets have hit 39.3% of their shots vs. Yale.

Betting Trends

• In their last three games away from home, the Tigers have a straight up record of 2-1 while going 0-3 vs the spread. The team averaged 74 points per game in this stretch.
• In their last five home games, Yale has averaged 77 points per game while allowing 64. The team’s record in this stretch was 5-0 while going 4-0-1 vs. the spread.
• Through their last three games as the underdog, the Tigers have an ATS record of 2-1 and a straight up mark of 2-1.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the favorite, Yale has an ATS mark of 4-5-1 while going 8-2 straight up.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

Sure Yale is only 11-6 on the season, but they’ve played a challenging schedule, ranking 52nd in non-conference strength of schedule and have played just five home games. Additionally, they are a perfect 4-0 in Ivy League matches. Princeton could come up big tonight off the confidence crushing loss at Cornell, but with most of the key metrics being even or in Yale’s favor, I think the host can get by the small number. Take Yale -3.5