Princeton vs Harvard Picks and Prediction – 1/11/2025

The Princeton Tigers (11-4) visit the Harvard Crimson (5-8) in Cambridge for the first conference matchup. Princeton rides a four-game win streak, while Harvard enters on a two-game win streak after defeating Bowdoin. Both teams look to make an early statement in conference play. Dominate the college scene with our College Football picks.

Princeton brings an efficient offense, averaging 77.9 points per game on 46.3% shooting. Xaivian Lee leads the Tigers with 15.6 points and 5.7 assists per game, while Dalen Davis adds perimeter scoring with 38.5% shooting from beyond the arc. On the glass, forward Caden Pierce anchors Princeton with 6.9 rebounds per game, giving them second-chance opportunities. Princeton's offense thrives in transition, utilizing its speed to exploit mismatches and generate high-percentage shots.

Defensively, the Tigers allow 72.0 points per game, relying on aggressive perimeter defense that nets 9.8 steals per game. While 2.1 blocks per game suggest a lack of rim protection, Princeton's defensive success often stems from disrupting opponents’ ball movement. The focus will be containing Harvard’s Robert Hinton, who leads his team in scoring with 13.9 points per game.

Harvard’s offense averages 67.1 points on 43.0% shooting. Hinton is the Crimson's offensive cornerstone, complemented by Chandler Pigge, who adds rebounding dominance with 7.2 boards per game. Harvard will look to slow the pace, using methodical half-court sets to minimize turnovers and capitalize on mismatches. The 13.3 assists per game indicate balanced ball distribution, but scoring depth beyond Hinton remains a concern.

Defensively, Harvard allows 71.0 points per game. While the Crimson excel at rim protection with 3.2 blocks per game led by Thomas Batties II, perimeter defense is weaker, conceding 10.4 threes per game. Harvard must tighten its defense to contain Princeton’s perimeter threats and mitigate the Tigers’ quick transition offense.

Princeton’s balanced offense and tenacious defense should outmatch Harvard’s lack of scoring depth. The Tigers' ability to push the pace and dominate the perimeter will create significant challenges for the Crimson. Final Score Prediction: Princeton Tigers win and cover 78-69.