Harvard Crimson vs George Washington Revolutionaries Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Week 2

George Washington has allowed 50.0 points per game at 3-0, while Harvard counters with a defense allowing 55.3 and Thomas Batties II scoring 17.0 per game.

The Matchup

George Washington is 3-0 at the Charles E. Smith Center in Washington, scoring 78.3 points per game and allowing a remarkable 50.0 per game this season. Harvard is 2-1 from the Ivy League and has built its start on defense too, allowing 55.3 points per game while scoring 68.7. Last season George Washington finished 19-16 and Harvard finished 17-12, so both programs entered this fall with winning baselines.

The numbers here blend this season with last season because both teams have played fewer than eight games, and for Harvard that blend shows a team that defended well last season at 66.7 points allowed per game and has tightened even further this fall behind Thomas Batties II, who leads the Crimson at 17.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Ben Eisendrath adds 4.7 assists per game.

George Washington is led by Jean Aranguren at 12.7 points and 3.3 assists per game, with Dylan James grabbing 9.3 rebounds per game. Batties, Eisendrath and Aranguren carry no injury designations.

Key Factors

This is a low total, defensive game where every possession carries extra weight. George Washington has been the more explosive team, but Harvard slows games, defends without fouling in bunches, and has a clear primary scorer in Batties who can create late in the clock. In a game with limited possessions, a double digit margin asks the favorite to be efficient for a long stretch without a lull.

George Washington can absolutely break this open, and that is the counterpoint. If Aranguren pushes pace off misses and James dominates the glass at 9.3 rebounds per game, Harvard will spend the night playing from behind and its limited scoring at 68.7 per game may not keep up. Harvard must keep the game in the half court and make George Washington score over set defense. When the Crimson do that, they stay connected deep into the second half.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.