It will be a battle between MAAC opponents when the Iona Gaels (9-7, 3-1 MAAC) welcome the Siena Saints (5-12, 1-3 MAAC) to Hynes Athletics Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 11, 2018, and will air on ESPN 3.
Iona is a 13.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 149.5 points.
Siena Saints at Iona Gaels Free Prediction
In the Saints’ last matchup, they beat the Canisius Golden Griffins, 65-62. The Saints made 17 of their 22 free throws (77.3 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 48.3 (above their season average of 31.5). Siena received a boost from Ahsante Shivers, who was the team’s high scorer with 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
The Gaels easily got past the Fairfield Stags in their last game, 84-65. The Gaels had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 38.9 (above their season average of 25.9) and had a free throw rate of 0.345 (above their season average of 0.195). Deyshonee Much was the top scorer from either team with 32 points on 9-for-13 shooting.
Siena could struggle to create turnovers. Iona ranks 76th in the NCAA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 17.3 percent), while Siena forces the 18th-fewest turnovers (15.8 percent).
Siena heads into the game with records of 5-12 straight up (SU) and 4-5 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total high when the Saints are involved, as six of their 9 games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Iona is 9-7 SU and 7-4-1 ATS. Gaels games have no tendency in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
After the Gaels won two out of three matchups against the Saints last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Iona won 87-86. The Gaels had a better effective field goal percentage (0.548 vs. 0.465) and had a better free throw rate (0.286 vs. 0.264).
Siena Saints at Iona Gaels Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Iona, ATS Winner – Siena, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Siena is 2-2 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over.
Iona is 2-1 ATS at home with 2 unders and 1 over.
Iona ranks 22nd in three pointers attempted per game (27.6) while Siena ranks 216th (18.9).
The Gaels rank 45th in assists per game (16.2) while the Saints rank 214th (11.6).
Iona ranks 36th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while Siena ranks 135th (6.9).
The Saints rank 124th in rebounds per game (36.5) while the Gaels rank 199th in rebounds allowed per game (37.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Siena is 1-3 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over.
Iona is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Saints’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.0, down from 7.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Gaels have scored an average of 81.4 points per game (3.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 78.4 points per game (2.5 above their season average).
