Iona Gaels (17-7) vs. Niagara Purple Eagles (14-9)
February 12, 2023 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Niagara Purple Eagles +7 / Iona Gaels -7; Over/Under: +132.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Iona Gaels and Niagara Purple Eagles meet Sunday in college basketball action at the Gallagher Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The Iona Gaels Betting Preview
The Iona Gaels are averaging 75.6 points on 45.8 percent shooting and allowing 66.4 points on 41 percent shooting. Walter Clayton Jr. is averaging 15.6 points and 4.1 rebounds, while Nelly Junior Joseph is averaging 15.6 points and 9.3 rebounds. Daniss Jenkins is the third double-digit scorer and Quinn Slazinski is grabbing 5.7 rebounds. The Iona Gaels are shooting 33.2 percent from beyond the arc and 72.3 percent from the free throw line. The Iona Gaels are allowing 28.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 33.4 rebounds per game.
The Niagara Purple Eagles Betting Preview
The Niagara Purple Eagles are averaging 65.4 points on 44.9 percent shooting and allowing 64.8 points on 42.9 percent shooting. Noah Thomasson is averaging 18.7 points and 3.5 assists, while Aaron Gray is averaging 12.7 points and 4.9 rebounds. Sam Iorio is dishing 1.5 assists and Braxton Bayless is grabbing 3 rebounds. The Niagara Purple Eagles are shooting 35.5 percent from beyond the arc and 71.3 percent from the free throw line. The Niagara Purple Eagles are allowing 33.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 28.9 rebounds per game.
Iona vs Niagara Trends
The Gaels are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win. The Purple Eagles are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The under is 4-1 in Gaels last 5 overall. The over is 5-0 in Purple Eagles last 5 home games. The underdog is 6-2-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
Randy’s Free Pick
Iona is the better, more talented team and should be favored, but Niagara is playing decent ball this week and is at home where it wins by an average of 7.2 points and shoots well. Niagara is also 6-2 ATS this season when an underdog of 3 or more points. The Niagara Purple Eagles won’t go down quietly. Give me the points.
