Iona vs Siena Prediction, Odds and Picks

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27 January 2023

Iona vs Siena Prediction, Odds and Picks

Next up on our NCAAB schedule, we head to the MAAC for a huge conference matchup between the Iona Gaels (13-6, 6-2 MAAC) and Siena Saints (13-7, 7-2 MAAC) on Friday night. Tip-off from MVP Arena in Albany, NY, is scheduled for 7:00 pm EST and will be broadcast on ESPNU.

This is a showdown between the top two NCAA basketball teams in the conference, with each separated by just half game. This is also the first of two regular-season meetings between the two schools, with Siena set to repay the visit to Iona on February 26, the third to last game of the year. The teams split their two head-to-heads last year so continue reading for our Iona vs Siena prediction.

Iona Gaels vs. Siena Saints Odds

According to the NCAAB odds, Iona is the road favorite, laying 5.5 points on Friday with an over/under of 140.5 points. The Gaels are -250 on the moneyline while Siena is +205.

Iona Gaels vs. Siena Saints Information

Iona Gaels vs Siena Saints

Location of the game: MVP Arena. Albany, NY.

Date: Friday, January 27. 7:00 PM ET.

How to watch: ESPNU/ESPN+

Iona Gaels vs. Siena Saints Performance Recap and Analysis

Iona Gaels Performance Recap and Analysis

As we get set to make our college basketball picks, we see that Iona has traded wins and losses over their last four games entering Friday night. This came after a four-game winning streak elevated them to the top of the MAAC back on January 6.

Now, not only do they square off with mighty Siena coming off an overtime win against Manhattan (albeit a week ago tonight, so lack of energy shouldn’t be an issue), but they’ll have to turn around and refocus for Quinnipiac on Sunday afternoon. That is the team directly behind them in the MAAC college basketball standings.

Key Injuries

Taking a look at the college basketball injury report, Iona has lost two players for the season due to injuries. Senior Quinn Slazinski, a transfer from Louisville, is done after injuring his foot, and sophomore Michael Jefferson hasn’t played since January 1.

Betting Trends to Know

The Gaels are 0-4 ATS in their last four games overall and 1-5 ATS in their last six games following an ATS loss.

Siena Saints Performance Recap and Analysis

find them at the top of their league, but without a ton of margin for error heading into Friday night. Not only is Iona just a half-game behind them, but the top six teams in the MAAC are separated by just two-and-a-half games.

With not a lot of ranked or national powerhouses playing on Friday, this will be one of the more compelling NCAA basketball games today. Especially considering Siena students rushed the court after the game in this ‘Gold Rush’ matchup a year ago.

“These guys are hungry and driven and obviously we’re in the first place and Iona’s the preseason favorite and no one gave us a chance to be even near first place this year,” Siena coach Carmen Maciariello said. “It’s all on the table for us. We’re excited to play. We’re excited to do what we love to do and hopefully bring joy to our fans and the community.”

Key Injuries

The Saints have four notable players on their injury report, but none bigger than Javian McCollum. The sophomore guard, who leads the team in scoring and assists, missed the second half of the team’s loss to Fairfield last Sunday, and his status is uncertain for this one.

He’s one of the best college basketball players overall in the conference, and his absence would be major.

Betting Trends to Know

The Saints are 4-0 ATS in their last four Friday games and 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Scroll below for our Iona vs Siena prediction.

Iona Gaels vs. Siena Saints Betting Picks

There could certainly be some value on the MAAC representative in the NCAA Tournament when considering future March Madness bets, but this will certainly have a postseason vibe to it in its own right.

The oddsmakers clearly believe that McCollum will not play tonight, or else this line might be flipped. It’s worth noting that, by looking at the Iona Gaels stats, they have three players that average at least 15 ppg, while McCollum is the only one at that mark for Siena.

Iona will have revenge on their mind from last year, and without McCollum in the lineup, they’ll get it in a comfortable win. Our final Iona vs Siena prediction is below.