The Northeast is in the grip of a cold snap with subzero wind chills as Yale and Brown get on the bus to head north for their first Ivy weekend. All four teams have struggled with their consistency this year, with Brown and Harvard both snapping four-game losing streaks last time out at the expense of Yale and Dartmouth squads that had been playing well prior to that.
Brown (6-11, 1-1 Ivy) at Dartmouth (6-9, 1-1 Ivy) – 7:00 pm ET
Live stats | Brown audio | Dartmouth video | Dartmouth audio
Dartmouth was the hottest team in the league up until last weekend, winning six of its previous seven. But the loss at Harvard seemed to have lingering consequences, as struggling New Hampshire came into Leede Arena and knocked off the Big Green. Conversely, Brown’s impressive second-half rally at Yale turned around its fortunes for the better. Terry Dunn has won three of four against Brown, including both home games, and Dartmouth is 4-1 in Hanover since Leon Pattman’s return.
The Big Green has been taking good care of the ball this year (21.2-percent turnover rate), while the Bears’ defense relies on forcing turnovers (24.7 percent). When Brown has the ball, Dartmouth’s scrapping defense figures to limit the open shots. However, the Big Green is fouling opponents at a very high rate, which is bad news when you’re playing the Bears, who get the second-highest percentage of their points at the line in Division I. Both teams are terrible on the offensive boards (23.2 percent for Brown, 27.7 percent for Dartmouth) and not much better defensively (62.7 percent for Brown, 63.2 percent for Dartmouth), so something has to give. In a battle between teams that have struggled offensively at times, whoever is able to hit its shots should leave with the win.
Pomeroy says: Brown 57, Dartmouth 56
Yale (5-10, 1-1 Ivy) at Harvard (8-8, 1-1 Ivy) – 7:00 pm ET
Live stats | Yale audio | Harvard video | Harvard audio
Friday night marks part one of the hardwood version of “The Game” between the Ancient Eight’s biggest all-around rivals. Harvard-Yale may not get much play around the league when it comes to hoops, but it’s definitely a big deal to the players involved. Consider the fact both teams really need this game, the similar ratings for both squads, and Brian Cusworth playing with a sense of urgency, and you have the recipe for a very good contest. James Jones is 11-3 in his career against Frank Sullivan, including a sweep last season, so that’s one trend Harvard will be looking to buck.
Yale has gotten better at keeping opponents off the line, but it hasn’t faced a team with Harvard’s combination of an inside game and a knack for drawing fouls. If the Bulldogs revert to their early season habit of fouling in the post rather than playing defense, it could be a long night. The Crimson has had its own defensive issues, mostly dealing with defending the three-point arc. Yale’s done a great job of preventing second-chance points by keeping opponents off the offensive glass, and the Bulldogs will need to find a way prevent Cusworth from grabbing offensive boards.
Pomeroy says: Yale 78, Harvard 77
