The Niagara Purple Eagles (10-18, 8-9 MAAC) close out their home schedule at Gallagher Center against the Iona Gaels (11-13, 9-8 MAAC). Action begins at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 29, 2020.
Iona Gaels vs. Niagara Purple Eagles ATS Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Purple Eagles beat the Saint Peter’s Peacocks 63-54, while the Gaels easily got past the Canisius Golden Griffins 86-65.
Iona couldn’t miss, shooting 64.3 percent from the field. Canisius, meanwhile, had a field goal percentage of 38.7. Meanwhile, Niagara dominated nearly every facet of their game. They had a free throw rate of 0.196 (above their season average of 0.183) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.520 (above their season average of 0.493). For those same stats, Saint Peter’s was 0.103 and 0.414, respectively. Niagara was led by Marcus Hammond, who recorded 21 points and six rebounds. Isaiah Washington, meanwhile led the way for Iona with 14 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds to register his zeroth triple-double this season.
In their first matchup this year, Raheem Solomon led the Purple Eagles to a 70-69 victory. He notched a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Purple Eagles’ turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Gaels. Niagara had a rate of 14.4, while Iona posted a mark of 16.8.
There’s a decent chance that Iona struggles to create turnovers. Niagara ranks 19th in the NCAA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.9 percent), while Iona forces the 159th-most turnovers (19.5 percent).
Iona Gaels vs. Niagara Purple Eagles Odds Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Iona, ATS Winner – Iona, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Iona averages 13.5 assists per game, which ranks 116th in the country. Niagara ranks 272nd in assists allowed per game (16.2).
- The Gaels rank 151st in rebounds allowed per game (35.1) while the Purple Eagles rank 275th (39.8).
- Iona ranks 85th in blocks per game (3.6) while Niagara ranks 118th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
- The Gaels rank 90th in three pointers attempted per game (23.9) while the Purple Eagles rank 238th in three pointers allowed per game (23.9).
- Niagara ranks seventh in steals allowed per game (4.5) while Iona ranks 140th (6.6).
Bettings Trends:
- The Purple Eagles’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 7.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Gaels have scored an average of 75.6 points per game (5.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 65.2 points per game (5.7 below their season average).
