The Niagara Purple Eagles (17-10, 10-4 MAAC) head to Iona to take on the Gaels (16-11, 10-5 MAAC) in a game that will likely be up-tempo. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 16, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 171 points with Iona set as a 5-point favorite.
Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Iona Gaels Betting Prediction
The Purple Eagles come in on a high note after defeating the Fairfield Stags in their last contest, 95-83. The Purple Eagles knocked down 15 of their 17 free throws (88.2 percent) and held the Stags to an offensive rebounding percentage of 14.9 (below their season average of 24.9). Marvin Prochet had a solid performance for Niagara, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
In the Gaels’ last game, they fell to the Siena Saints, 82-78. Siena’s 0.203 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Iona, who had a mark of 0.171. The Saints’ mark was below their season average of 0.253, while the Gaels’ was below their season average of 0.204. With 14 points and 13 rebounds, Iona’s TK Edogi put together a solid performance.
There should be plenty of transition action in this matchup that showcases a pair of the nation’s more up-and-down teams. Iona ranks 58th in possessions per game (72.3) and Niagara is 24th (74.1). Furthermore, the Purple Eagles, who rank 38th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.287), will square off against the Gaels, who rank 42nd in opponents’ FTA rate (0.191).
Niagara comes into the game with records of 17-10 straight up (SU) and 14-9 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total low when the Purple Eagles are involved, as 69.6 percent of their games have ended over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Iona owns records of 16-11 SU and 12-10-1 ATS. A little over half of Gaels games have finished over the total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Prochet put up 16 points and 15 rebounds in the first matchup, in which the Purple Eagles lost 98-93, unable to cover as 2.5-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 191 points, which was 26 points above the projected point total of 165 points. Iona did a fantastic job of getting and making free throws (26-32; 81.3 percent). Niagara, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (11.2 vs. 13.6).
Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Iona Gaels Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Iona, ATS Winner – Niagara, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Niagara is 8-4 ATS with 9 overs and 3 unders.
At home, Iona is 3-5 ATS with 5 unders and 3 overs.
Iona ranks 34th in assists per game (16.4) while Niagara ranks 249th in assists allowed per game (16.1).
The Purple Eagles average 38.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 43rd in the nation. The Gaels rank 229th in rebounds allowed per game (37.0).
Iona averages 25.5 three pointers per game, which ranks 40th in the NCAA. Niagara ranks 194th in three pointers allowed per game (23.0).
The Purple Eagles rank 39th in blocks per game (4.4) while the Gaels rank 141st (3.1).
Niagara allows the 13th-fewest steals per game (4.7) while Iona ranks 23rd (5.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Niagara is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Iona is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Purple Eagles’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.2, up from 0.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Gaels have scored an average of 79.8 points per game (0.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 75.4 points per game (0.5 below their season average).
