Iona vs. Connecticut Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
Pegged as the No. 13 seed in the West, the Gaels reached the 27-win mark for the first time since 1998 this season, and ride an 11-game win streak into Friday’s contest, capped by a dominating 76-55 win over Marist in last weekend’s MAAC Tournament final. The Huskies return to the Big Dance for a third straight year after compiling a 25-8 that has earned them the No. 4 seed. However, UCONN are coming off a stunning 70-68 upset loss to Marquette in the semifinals at last week’s Big East Tournament, and ride a three-game losing streak at March Madness.
Despite those recent struggles, the Huskies have established themselves as strong 9.5-point favourites on the First Round odds, while the Gaels sit as +355 moneyline underdogs. The total is pegged at 141.0 with -117 odds favouring the UNDER.
Iona vs. UCONN First Round NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Friday afternoon’s matchup at MVP Arena in Albany, New York marks the first meeting between these teams since December 2019 and their first ever clash at the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies have dominated in recent head-to-head action, winning four straight with each of their past three wins coming by double-digit margins, capped by an 80-62 win in their most recent matchup. The total has exceeded 140 in each of their past three dates, with the Huskies covering as betting chalk in each of those contests.
Iona Gaels (13)
The Gaels have emerged as a fixture at March Madness, Friday’s contest marking their 12th trip to the Big Dance since 1998. However, success has eluded the team at the NCAA Tournament, where they have failed to earn a win in 14 games since 1980. But if their performance at least week’s MAAC Tournament are any indication, the Gaels are peaking at the right time and are poised to rewrite a losing narrative.
Iona surrendered just 56 points per game during their march to the MAAC Tourney championship, and sport a defence that ranks 42nd in the nation after allowing just 65 points per game this season. The squad has also benefited from a bust-out campaign from Walter Clayton Jr. The sophomore guard averaged 20 points and 7.3 rebounds at the MAAC Tournament and led the squad with 16.9 points per game this season.
Connecticut Huskies (4)
The Huskies enjoy a rich history of success at March Madness, reaching the Final Four five times since 1998 and claiming four national championships over that stretch. However, UCONN has fallen on hard times since their last title win in 2014, falling to defeat in the First Round in two of three tournament appearances since, with each of those defeats coming as the higher seed.
In the wake of last week’s loss, this team should be in a surly mood when they hit the floor on Friday, and sport all the tools necessary to rebound in a big way on offence. Leading scorer Adama Sanogo maintained his steady production in last week’s loss to Marquette, potting a team-high 19 points and 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season, and has averaged 7.5 boards over his past eight outings.
IONA
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