The Fairfield Stags (3-10, 0-1 MAAC) will be at the Hynes Athletics Center to clash against the Iona Gaels (3-9, 1-0 MAAC) in a MAAC matchup. The game starts at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019, and will air on ESPN 3.
Fairfield Stags vs. Iona Gaels Betting Odds
In their last game, the Gaels were victorious over the Albany Great Danes, 72-68, while the Stags got blown out by the 24th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers, 90-57.
Iona played a nearly flawless contest. They had a turnover percentage of 16.0 and a free throw rate of 0.281. For those same stats, Albany was 25.3 and 0.259, respectively. Fairfield, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (15.8 vs. 16.5). Rickey McGill fueled Iona with 12 points and nine assists. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kasibabu led the way for Fairfield, contributing 14 points.
The Gaels took this series last year, emerging victorious in two out of three games. In the last contest, Iona won 83-71. Iona was effective at getting and making free throws. The Gaels made 23 of their 27 free throws (85.2 percent), while the Stags were just 10-20 (50.0 percent). This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
Both teams have had a couple of players step their game up over their last five games. Neftali Alvarez (0 points) and Landon Taliaferro (0 points) have been great for the Stags, while E.J. Crawford (0 points) and McGill (0 points) have contributed greatly to the Gaels.
The aggressive Iona offense could be getting to the foul line a lot in this contest. The Gaels currently rank 40th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.287, while Fairfield ranks 337th in FTA rate allowed (0.318).
Fairfield Stags vs. Iona Gaels Free Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Iona, ATS Winner – Iona, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Fairfield ranks 27th in three pointers allowed per game (19.2) while Iona ranks 206th (25.1).
- The Stags rank 183rd in rebounds allowed per game (36.5) while the Gaels rank 228th (38.5).
- The Stags rank 121st in assists allowed per game (13.2) while the Gaels rank 228th (17.3).
- Iona ranks 46th in steals per game (7.8) while Fairfield ranks 146th (5.7).
Bettings Trends:
- The Gaels’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 6.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Stags have scored an average of 68.4 points per game (3.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.6 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
