Cornell Big Red vs Yale Bulldogs Picks and Predictions for Saturday March 14 2026

By: Kim Smith Published 03/14/2026, 01:15 AM ET

The Cornell Big Red face the Yale Bulldogs in the Ivy League Tournament presented by TIAA Semifinal on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Newman Arena in Ithaca, New York. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:00 AM ET with television coverage on ESPNU. According to DraftKings, Yale is favored by -3.5 with the total set at 165.5, while Cornell is listed at +164 on the moneyline and Yale at -198. Be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for more daily betting insights and predictions.

Big Red Bring One of the Nation’s Highest-Powered Offenses

The Cornell Big Red enter the Ivy League Tournament semifinal with a 15-12 overall record and an 8-6 conference record. Cornell closed the regular season strong and most recently won over Dartmouth 111-90. Over their last five games, the Big Red have recently won over Dartmouth, Brown, and Yale while recently losing to Harvard and Pennsylvania.

Cornell has been one of the most explosive offensive teams in the conference this season, averaging 88.9 points per game while allowing 83.2 points per game. The Big Red shoot 50% from the field and average 35.2 rebounds and 21.2 assists per game, showing their ability to move the ball and generate scoring opportunities. Defensively they contribute 2.8 blocks and 6.1 steals per game, though their high-tempo style often leads to higher scoring games on both sides.

In their most recent victory over Dartmouth, Cornell delivered an outstanding offensive performance, shooting 63% from the field and 50% from three-point range. Jake Fiegen led the team with 22 points, while Gioacchino Panzini led the team with four rebounds in a balanced effort on the glass. That offensive efficiency highlights Cornell’s biggest strength heading into this semifinal, as their ability to score quickly and frequently can put pressure on even strong defensive teams.

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Bulldogs Lean on Defense and Balance

The Yale Bulldogs enter the Ivy League Tournament semifinal with a 23-5 overall record and an 11-3 conference record, finishing as one of the top teams in the Ivy League this season. Yale most recently won over Princeton 78-53 and has recently won over Princeton, Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Harvard while recently losing to Cornell.

Yale has been one of the most balanced teams in the conference this season, averaging 81.5 points per game while allowing just 70.2 points per game. The Bulldogs shoot 50% from the field and average 34.9 rebounds and 16.0 assists per game. Defensively they add 3.1 blocks and 5.5 steals per game, making them a strong two-way team capable of controlling both tempo and physical play inside.

In their most recent victory over Princeton, Yale showcased both efficiency and defensive control. Nick Townsend led the Bulldogs with 17 points, while Isaac Celiscar controlled the boards with nine rebounds. Yale also held Princeton to just 37% shooting while winning the rebounding battle, a defensive performance that could be crucial against Cornell’s fast-paced offense.

Cornell vs Yale Pick

Cornell vs Yale Spread Pick

Pick: Yale -3.5

Yale enters this semifinal with the stronger overall record and the more reliable defensive profile. While Cornell’s offense is extremely dangerous, the Bulldogs have already proven they can control games with their defensive pressure and rebounding. Yale’s ability to slow the pace and limit second-chance opportunities should allow them to gradually build a lead and cover the spread.

Cornell vs Yale Total Pick

Pick: Over 165.5

I like the over in this matchup because Cornell plays one of the fastest offensive styles in the Ivy League and averages nearly 89 points per game. Their recent game against Dartmouth showed how explosive their offense can be when they shoot efficiently. Even though Yale plays strong defense, their offense is capable of scoring in the 80s as well, which should push this matchup into a high-scoring game.

Final Score Prediction: Yale 88, Cornell 82

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