It will be a battle between MAAC opponents when the Iona Gaels (7-14, 5-5 MAAC) welcome the Quinnipiac Bobcats (11-10, 6-4 MAAC) to the Hynes Athletics Center. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 8, 2019.
Quinnipiac Bobcats at Iona Gaels Free Prediction
The Bobcats come in on a high note after beating the Niagara Purple Eagles in their last outing, 84-73. The Bobcats made 22 of their 30 free throws (73.3 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 11.1 (better than their season average of 17.6). With 22 points on 7-for-11 shooting, Cameron Young was the top scorer from either team.
In the Gaels’ previous game, they lost a tight one to the Siena Saints, 56-54. Siena’s 0.480 effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Iona, who had a rate of 0.420. The Saints’ mark was below their season average of 0.525, while the Gaels’ was below their season average of 0.538. With 19 points on 6-for-11 shooting, E.J. Crawford was the game’s leading scorer.
It will be a battle of conflicting tempos as the fast-paced Gaels (ranked 48th in the NCAA in possessions per game) will look to push the more grind-it-out Bobcats (273rd in possessions per game).
After the Gaels won the sole contest against the Bobcats last season, 87-82, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. Iona had a much better turnover percentage (9.9 vs. 19.3). Quinnipiac, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (27.5 vs. 23.3).
Quinnipiac Bobcats vs. Iona Gaels Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Quinnipiac, ATS Winner – Quinnipiac, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Quinnipiac ranks 13th in three pointers attempted per game (28.5) while Iona ranks 245th in three pointers allowed per game (25.7).
The Bobcats rank 77th in assists allowed per game (12.0) while the Gaels rank 249th (16.3).
Quinnipiac ranks 143rd in rebounds allowed per game (35.1) while Iona ranks 229th (37.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Bobcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.2, up from 0.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Gaels have scored an average of 70.8 points per game (7.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.6 points per game (7.5 below their season average).
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