Preview of Saturday’s Ivy League Men’s Basketball Game

NEW YORK (Interstat) — A month after a thrilling first meeting, the Cornell Big Red and Columbia Lions will renew their rivalry Saturday at Levien Gymnasium with both teams seeking momentum in Ivy League play.

Columbia (14-7, 3-3 Ivy) enters as the home favorite, holding a more robust overall record than Cornell (10-10, 3-3). The Lions won the season’s first matchup 104-99 in Ithaca on Jan. 5, a game that suggests another high-scoring affair could be in store.

The Lions have been led by guard Kenny Noland, who is coming off a 20-point performance in a loss to Princeton last Saturday. Noland recorded a double-double with 29 points and 10 rebounds in a win at Dartmouth on Jan. 24, showcasing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.

Cornell will counter with its own hot hand in guard Cooper Noard. He is averaging 20.3 points over his last six games, including a 28-point effort in a loss to Penn last Saturday. Noard has scored 19 or more points in four of those six contests, making him the focal point of the Big Red offense.

Both teams are currently tied in the conference standings at 3-3, making this a pivotal game for positioning ahead of the Ivy League tournament. Columbia has shown resilience at home this season, while Cornell has proven capable of road wins, including victories at Harvard and Brown in January.

The Lions will look to sweep the regular-season series, while the Big Red aim for a split and a key road victory. Tipoff is set for Saturday afternoon in Manhattan.