Colgate Raiders vs Iona Gaels Betting Pick & Prediction 12/21/23

The Raiders and Gaels are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Gaels will host the game at Hynes Athletics Center in New Rochelle, NY. The Raiders are favored in this non-conference showdown. The game’s over/under is currently at 138 points.

COLGATE RAIDERS VS IONA GAELS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Iona Gaels +1.5

This game will be played at Hynes Athletics Center at 7:00 ET on Thursday, December 21st.

WHY BET THE IONA GAELS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-67 in favor of the Gaels.
• Not only will Iona pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +1.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 138 points, and we like the over with a projected 143 points.

Pressure Builds for Colgate as Away Favorites

Colgate, who is getting ready for their 12th game of the season, currently has a 6-5 record. In their last ten games on the road, including those from last year, Colgate went 4-6. Prior to today’s game, Colgate has a 5-4-1 ATS record. In their last five games, the team is 2-1-1 vs. the spread.

In 11 games, Colgate comes in with an over/under mark of 2-8-0, with their games averaging 133.2 points per game. Over the course of the last five games, the Raiders’ games have averaged 139 points per game, along with an over/under record of 1-3.

The Colgate offense is coming off a game in which they scored 57 points vs. Illinois. Overall their field goal percentage was 42.6% while connecting on 3 threes. Braeden Smith is the current leading scorer for the team, with an average of 12.9 as they approach today’s matchup. In addition, Keegan Records brings a PPG average of 10.6 into the game.

Coming into today’s game, the Colgate defense is giving up an average of 63.1 points per contest. Colgate’s three-point defense is currently 97th in the country at 6.7 made threes per game. In terms of overall field goal percentage, opponets have hit 36.4% of their shots vs. Colgate.

Will the Gaels Find a Way to Win at Home?

As they prepare for their 12th game of the season, Iona currently holds a 4-7 record. If they win today, they will have a chance to even out their home record at 1-1. As Iona enters today’s game, their ATS record is 5-4. In their last five games, the team has gone 1-4 vs. the spread.

Through 11 games, Iona has an over/under record of 5-4-0 with their games averaging a combined 148.8 points per game so far. In the Gaels’ last five games, the combined scoring average stands at 129 points per game, accompanied by an over/under record of 1-4.

The Iona offense is coming off a game in which they scored 58 points vs. Saint Joseph’s. Overall their field goal percentage was 27.7% while connecting on 7 threes. On the offensive front, the Gaels have a season-long field goal percentage of 41%, ranking 296th nationally. When it comes to three-point shooting, they are ranked 140th in terms of percentage and 109th in three-pointers made.

Currently, the Gaels’ defense holds the 160th rank in the nation, allowing 71.4 points per game. Iona’s defense is coming off a game in which they allowed the Saint Joseph’s offense to knock down 52% of their shots on their way to putting up 83 points.