It will be a battle between MAAC opponents when the Siena Saints (7-19, 3-10 MAAC) welcome the Iona Gaels (16-10, 10-4 MAAC) to Times Union Center. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, February 12, 2018.
Iona opened as an 8-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 143 points.
Iona Gaels at Siena Saints Betting Prediction
The Gaels will be hoping for similar success after defeating the Saint Peter’s Peacocks in their last matchup, 86-77. Iona’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Saint Peter’s. The Gaels had a rate of 0.373 (above their season average of 0.198), while the Peacocks posted a mark of 0.101 (below their season average of 0.206). Iona was led by E.J. Crawford, who recorded 18 points and six rebounds.
In the Saints’ last game, they lost big to the Canisius Golden Griffins, 89-65. Canisius’ 12.8 turnover percentage was their largest strength over Siena, who had a rate of 18.8. The Golden Griffins’ mark was better than their season average of 17.2. With 12 points on 4-for-9 shooting, Prince Oduro was Siena’s leading scorer.
Siena appears to have an edge on the offensive glass in this showdown. The Saints rank 81st in offensive rebounding percentage (32.4 percent), while Iona ranks 225th in defensive rebounding percentage (70.5 percent). It will also be a matchup of contrasting paces as the up-and-down Gaels rank 60th in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Saints rank 251st.
Iona heads into the game with records of 16-10 straight up (SU) and 12-9-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been spot on when setting the total of Gaels games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Siena is 7-19 SU and 6-12 ATS. Saints games have typically finished under the projected point total (66.7 percent).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Roland Griffin had 15 points and eight rebounds in the first matchup, in which the Gaels beat the Saints 71-69 but did not cover as 12.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 140 points, which was 10 points below the projected point total of 150 points. The Gaels had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (28.2 vs. 15.4) and had a much better turnover percentage (11.6 vs. 21.2).
Iona Gaels at Siena Saints Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Iona, ATS Winner – Iona, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Iona is 9-4-1 ATS with 8 overs and 6 unders.
At home, Siena is 3-5 ATS with 6 unders and 2 overs.
Iona ranks 34th in assists per game (16.5) while Siena ranks 253rd (11.2).
The Gaels rank 38th in three pointers attempted per game (25.8) while the Saints rank 256th (18.6).
Iona ranks 92nd in steals per game (6.8) while Siena ranks 235th (4.7).
The Saints average 35.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 135th in the NCAA. The Gaels rank 218th in rebounds allowed per game (36.8).
Iona ranks 38th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while Siena ranks 100th (3.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Iona is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Siena is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Gaels’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.6, up from 3.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Saints have scored an average of 58.4 points per game (8.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (6.0 below their season average).
