COLUMBIA LIONS @ BUCKNELL BISON

Columbia faces its first road test

Columbia opens a three-game road swing after starting 2-1 at home, with Friday at Sojka its first away game of the season.

Second-half response is a positive sign

Columbia trailed Stonehill at halftime but closed with a 41-19 second-half edge in a 75-55 win; Gerard O’Keefe led with 22 points.

Scoring is spread across the Lions

Through three games, Gerard O’Keefe, Josiah Cunningham, Connor Igoe and Josh Pratt are averaging double figures, giving Bucknell multiple scoring threats.

Bucknell’s early schedule has been unforgiving

Bucknell is 0-3 after opening against Maryland, Old Dominion and No. 6 Virginia; the schedule provides context for the record.

Rebounding is a major concern for the Bison

Bucknell has averaged 23.7 rebounds to opponents’ 47.7 through three games, making rebounding a key concern against Columbia’s frontcourt.

Availability bears watching in Bucknell’s rotation

Bucknell’s notes list Jacob Meachem out with a foot injury; Ludvik Bergseng was working back from an injury after recent DNPs, with no new pregame update confirmed.

A rare meeting with a tied series

The teams are 4-4 all-time and have not met since Columbia’s 2015 win at Sojka; the long gap makes the series record historical context rather than a guide.

Pick Ideas

Angles drawn from the matchup analysis above and refreshed as the news changes. They are a separate read from the LineCrush pick for this matchup, so the two can land on different sides.

Columbia moneyline

Consider Columbia outright rather than laying the 4.5–5.5-point spread; compare moneyline prices across books.

Under the game total

Lean under 145.5–146.5 on Bucknell’s 63.3 points per game through three contests, with Columbia’s 120-point game against SUNY Old Westbury a counterpoint.