8:00 PM EST. The case for the Quakers of Penn is not an easy one to make tonight, as there is plenty of evidence piled up against them as to why they have no business being offered up such a seemingly small pile of points considering Cornell already whacked Penn by 17 points back in mid-January. If that weren’t enough, there is a perception in the media and the market that the Quakers have "nothing" to play for in the Ivy League, where they are just 2-9, but misery loves company, and Penn has a chance to ruin the weekend for Big Red.

 

Situationally speaking, the Quakers can damage Big Red, as Cornell is tied with both Princeton and Yale for tops in the Ivy at 9-2. While the Ivy uses a four-team tournament to determine their automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the league champion is still based on the regular-season standings. That, on its own, should provide plenty of motivation for Penn, but just in case, a closer look at the schedule shows that Cornell has a quick turnaround after tonight, as they play Princeton tomorrow, potentially creating a huge look-ahead spot.

 

While the situation is a potentially tasty spot, we cannot leave today without discussing just how this line stands out like a sore thumb. Cornell is in first place and has "everything" to play for, while Penn is in the Ivy League basement with nothing on the horizon to look forward to. However, despite their contrasting records, Big Red is 20-5, while Penn is 10-16, and their much different standings in the Ivy, the oddsmakers hung what looks like a very beatable number on the Quakers. The sportsbooks are not in the habit of giving away money, and so when something looks "too easy," it very likely is. Big Red may win and cover on the road tonight at Penn before heading to Princeton for that big game tomorrow, but the books are screaming that the Quakers ought to be a live pooch tonight. When the books tell us something, we listen.