The Columbia Lions take on the Yale Bulldogs in New Haven, CT. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Yale is favored by 8.5 points on the spread with a price of 83 cents to win and the total set at 154.5 points on Fanatics Markets.
Here’s my Columbia vs. Yale prediction and college basketball picks for January 19, 2026.
Columbia vs Yale Prediction
My Pick: Yale -8.5 (Play to -11)
My Columbia vs Yale best bet is on the Bulldogs to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Columbia vs. Yale Odds
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Columbia vs Yale College Basketball Betting Preview
Columbia Basketball
Columbia started Ivy League play off with a bang, as it defeated Cornell 104-99 on the road earlier this month.
It was the first time in 33 years the Lions had scored 100 or more points against a conference foe. However, Columbia has since dropped back-to-back outings against Harvard and Brown and will look to rebound on Monday against Yale.
The Lions are a great 3-point shooting team and are led by Kenny Noland, who averages 16.6 points per game while shooting 40% from beyond the arc.
Blair Thompson averages 11 points per game, while Gerard O’Keefe and Miles Franklin are each averaging 9.9 points a night. The Lions have been impressive on offense despite Zine Eddine Bedri missing the last 12 games with injury.
His return to the fold will be critical for Columbia, as it continues to close the gap between itself and Yale atop the Ivy League.
The Columbia defense isn't overly aggressive, and the Lions aren't going to force a ton of turnovers.
The Lions have been a decent rebounding team and keeping Yale off the glass will be a critical factor if the Lions want to stay in this game.
Yale Basketball
Yale comes in off a blowout win against Cornell, as the Bulldogs scored 59 points in the first half and registered 88 with 10 minutes left in the second half.
Scorching hot shooting from Nick Townsend and 21 points for Riley Fox off the bench were the catalysts in the blowout.
The Bulldogs have the best player in the Ivy League in Townsend, but Isaac Celiscar, Trevor Mullin and Samson Aletan have all played together here in New Haven, CT, for some time and are reliable options in James Jones’ offense.
This is an impressive bunch that's going to factor heavily into the Ivy League representation in the NCAA Tournament in March, and Yale has the firepower to win a game in the Big Dance if it does win the league.
The defense has been a problem at times for Yale, as the Bulldogs aren't quite as proficient on this end of the floor as prior iterations under Jones.
Yale has struggled at times, allowing second chance opportunities and the overall physical makeup (size, toughness, rebounding ability) is a notch down compared to what we're used to seeing.
I fully expect this team to find its groove as we get into the teeth of Ivy League play, but Columbia will provide a test here to the Bulldogs, who have won five straight in this storied series.
Columbia vs. Yale Betting Analysis
This line opened up Yale -8.5 with a total set at 155, which has been bet down slightly. I like Yale here.
Yale has such an advantage with Townsend, who 's a versatile big with many variations to how he can attack a defense. I've really been impressed with his ability to shoot from deep, get to the line and dominate on the low block, where he does most of his work.
Yale shares the basketball very well as Celiscar, Mullin and Townsend each have 50 or more assists, and Columbia is 327th in the country in forcing turnovers. I expect great ball movement and Yale should get open looks in this game. If the Bulldogs are shooting the ball well, this will be trouble for the Lions.
Columbia has lost two in a row in Ivy League play and the defense has been shredded in both games. The offense played okay against Brown, but Columbia was bailed out by late-possession jumpers and contested 3-pointers.
If Noland isn't completely dialed in, Columbia might struggle to score consistently enough to hang around in this game.
Yale is the better team and it's better coached. I fully expect a locked-in performance for the Bulldogs in this game.
My Pick: Yale -8.5 (Play to -11)
