Iona Gaels vs Connecticut Huskies 3/17/23 – On Friday afternoon, the Iona Gaels will take on the Connecticut Huskies in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. On March 11, 13th-seeded Iona upset Marist in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. With their 14th straight victory, the Gaels secured both their regular season title and MAAC Tournament crown. On March 10, 4th-seeded UConn fell to Marquette in the Big East Tournament semifinals. With a 13-7 conference record and 4-1 straight-up record over their last five games, UConn finished fourth overall in the regular season standings. The college basketball betting lines are open for bettors to place their bets on their favorite teams.
Iona Gaels vs Connecticut Huskies
Date & Time: Friday, March 17, 2023 at 4:30 PM ET
Location: MVP Arena
TV: TBS
Iona Gaels vs Connecticut Huskies Betting Odds
Iona
Moneyline: +360
Spread: +9 (-110)
Total: 141 over (-110)
Connecticut
Moneyline: -450
Spread: -9 (-110)
Total: 141 under (-110)
Iona Gaels vs Connecticut Huskies Analysis
Iona Gaels had an incredible season, taking home both the MAAC regular season and tournament titles. Since late January when they lost to Siena on the road, the Gaels haven’t lost a game – showing that even without playing the toughest schedule they still managed to stay unbeaten. Now it’s up to Iona to prove they can compete head-to-head against legitimate competition. Iona averages 76.6 points per game and shoots 46.1 percent from the floor, including 35.8 percent from deep. They converted 72.8 percent of their free throws and averaged 33.5 rebounds with an +2.0 rebound margin, ranking them 80th in schedule-adjusted offensive efficiency, 107th in effective field goal percentage, and 102nd in adjusted tempo. Iona allows 65.9 points per game and its opponents shoot 41.1 percent, including 29.5% from three-point range. As a result, they rank 68th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 20th in assist-per-turnover ratio.
Connecticut Huskies had defeated six consecutive opponents before falling to Marquette in the Big East Tournament semis by two points. Although their effort wasn’t enough to dethrone the conference champions, UConn scores 79.0 points per game and shoots 45.9% from the field – including 35.6 percent from three-point range – while converting 75.8 percent of foul shots. Furthermore, they average 36.1 rebounds with an impressive +9.6 rebounding margin per game, ranking them 6th in adjusted offensive efficiency, 44th in effective field goal percentage, and 210th in adjusted tempo. UConn allows 64.8 points per game and its opponents shoot 40.8 percent, including 29.7 percent from deep. The Huskies ranked 18th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 37th in assist-per-turnover ratio.
Iona Gaels vs Connecticut Huskies Against the Spread
Under is 4-0 in Gaels last 4 neutral site games. Gaels are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points. Under is 5-1 in Gaels last 6 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points. Under is 5-1 in Gaels last 6 Friday games. Over is 4-1 in Gaels last 5 games following an ATS win.
Under is 4-0 in Huskies last 4 overall. Over is 4-0 in Huskies last 4 games following an ATS loss.
Huskies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following an ATS loss. Huskies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. Huskies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above 0.600.
Iona Gaels vs Connecticut Huskies Free Pick
The Iona Gaels will keep this game close, proving they belong on the same stage as Huskies and riding their confidence with solid play on both ends of the court. As long as they maintain control of the boards and don’t commit too many turnovers, they’ll come out on top despite being underdogs according to NCAAB betting picks today.
Free Pick: Iona Gaels +9 (-110)
