by The 11th-seeded Marist Red Foxes will be looking to complete an unlikely run to the 2023 MAAC Tournament Championship when they take on top-seeded Iona Gaels in Saturday’s title game. The Red Foxes (13-19, 6-14 MAAC), who have three straight wins, defeated 10th seeded Saint Peter’s 69-57 in Friday’s semifinals. The Gaels (26-7, 17-3), who have won 13 straight games, defeated fifth-seeded Niagara 71-59 on Friday. Rick Pitno’s Iona roster swept the regular-season series with a 93-74 win on March 2 and an 84-57 win at Marist on Jan. 6.
The notice from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Iona leads the all-time streak 53-18, including 23 of the last 26 matchups. The Gaels are 15-point favorites in the latest Marist vs Iona odds, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 136. Before picking Iona vs. Marist, be sure to check out college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine projection model simulates each Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model competes in week 76-51 of the conference tournament with the top college basketball picks this season, raking in nearly $1,200 for $100 players. Everyone who has followed him has seen huge returns.
Now the model has focused on Iona vs. Marist and has just set its picks and CBB predictions. You can now go to SportsLine to see the model selection. Well, here are some college basketball odds and betting lines for Marist vs. Iona:
- Distribution Marist vs. Iona: Iona -15
- Marist vs. Iona over/under: 136 points
- Marist vs. Iona money line: Marist +850, Iona -1400
- MAR: The Red Foxes have played 3-0-1 against the spread on neutral side in their last four games
- IONA: The Gaels are 9-3 ATS overall in their last 12 games
- Marist vs. Iona Picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Iona can cover
Second guard Walter Clayton Jr. was red hot. He had a performance of 22 points, six rebounds, and three assists in the semifinals win over Niagara, after a game of 21 points, 11 rebounds, and two steals in the quarterfinals win over Mount St. Mary’s. Clayton has scored double digits in each of their last six games. For the season, he averaged 16.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.
Junior guard Daniss Jenkins, who has scored double figures in each of the last nine games, is also helping the Gaels stay in power. He’s also had two double-doubles during that span, including a 21-point, 10-assist, and seven-rebound performance in a 93-74 win over Marist on March 2. In Friday’s semifinals, Jenkins scored 14 points and grabbed four rebounds. In 33 games, all starts, he averaged 15.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and five assists.
Why Marist can cover
Senior center Patrick Gardner is the focus of the Red Foxes’ offense. He scored a double-double in Friday’s semi-final win over Saint Peter’s. He scored 18 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and gave away two assists. He has 20 points or more in four of the last six games. For the season, Gardner averaged 19 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Sophomore guard Noah Harris had a solid game against Saint Peter’s on Friday, scoring 10 points, grabbing three rebounds and adding three assists. Harris is averaging 10.5 points per game against Iona, including a 14-point, six assists and four rebounds performance in the March 2 loss to Iona. Harris has hit double digits 12 times, including a season-high 23 points in a 72-70 loss to Boston University on December 10. In 31 games, all starts, he averages nine points, 2.3 rebounds and two assists.
How to do Marist vs. Iona picks
SportsLine’s model tilts across the total, projecting 139 combined points. The model also says that one side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time. You can only see the model selection at SportsLine.
So who will win Iona against Marist? And which side of the spread applies almost 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump to, all from the model who crushed his college basketball picks, and find out.
