Posted at 11:00 AM EST. Odds are subject to change.

Dartmouth +7 -105 over Columbia

2:00 PM EST Both teams sit at 4-6 in Ivy League play, and while Columbia owns the better overall mark, league familiarity tends to compress margins. Dartmouth’s offense averages over 76 points per game and features a reliable go-to scorer in Kareem Thomas, giving them enough firepower to trade stretches even on the road. When spreads are built around home-court momentum, bettors can often find opportunity backing the team that’s being discounted despite comparable conference production.

The Columbia Lions have been strong offensively, shooting 48% from the floor and pushing pace, but their defensive numbers leave room for regression in a tightly lined game. They allow over 72 points per contest and have been inconsistent against Ivy opponents, particularly when asked to create separation. Dartmouth’s interior presence with Brandon Mitchell-Day on the glass provides a stabilizing factor, especially against a Columbia squad that relies heavily on rhythm scoring. If the Big Green can limit second-chance opportunities and keep turnovers manageable, they have the offensive efficiency to stay within one or two possessions deep into the second half.

From a betting perspective, this is about market inflation tied to Columbia’s recent road win and stronger overall profile. Ivy League games frequently trend lower-scoring and more methodical, which increases the value of each point on the spread. Dartmouth has shown it can compete within the conference, and in matchups between similarly ranked teams in the standings, taking the points historically provides stronger long-term return than laying them. Even if Columbia protects its home floor, the statistical gap between these teams is slim enough to justify backing Dartmouth plus the number as the sharper position tonight.

Take advantage of BET365's early NFL payout offer

Bet365 Early Payout – How It Works

Straight Bets:

If the team you back to win goes up by the designated number of points at any time during the game, BET365 will pay out your bet in full immediately, even if the opposing team later comes back and wins the game.

Parlays & Same Game Parlays:
If a team you’ve selected goes up by the designated number of points that selection will be marked as WON in My Bets. Any remaining legs of the parlay will continue to run as normal.

Once a selection is marked as won under the Early Payout rules, it cannot be reversed, regardless of what happens later in the game.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------