Yale enters the 2025 Ivy League championship game as 5.5-point favorites against Cornell, with the Bulldogs at -228 on the moneyline and Cornell at +185. The total is set at 158.5 points.

The Bulldogs dominated the regular season with a 13-1 conference record, including two high-scoring victories over Cornell (103-88 and 92-88). Yale pairs the league's 62nd-ranked offense with the 105th-ranked defense according to KenPom.

Cornell brings momentum into the final, riding a five-game winning streak while averaging 92.8 points per game during this stretch. The Big Red's offense ranks 62nd nationally, though their defense sits at 262nd. Their balanced scoring attack features five starters averaging between 10.5 and 14.7 points per game, with four shooting over 39% from three-point range.

Yale's success rests heavily on James Poulakidas (19.0 PPG) and Nick Townsend (15.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG), who have performed well against Cornell this season. Poulakidas scored 32 points in their road win, while Townsend contributed 24 in their home victory.

Despite Yale's strong season and recent tournament history (appearing in five of six championship games since 2017), Cornell's hot streak and offensive firepower make them an attractive betting option at +185 odds. The Big Red have covered the spread in six straight games and showed their potential by building a 15-point lead against Yale in their last meeting.

Prediction: Cornell moneyline (+185)

Note: Both regular season matchups went over the current total of 158.5, with Cornell going 16-9-2 O/U (64%) this season.

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