Marist Red Foxes vs Iona Gaels NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/3/25
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Red Foxes versus the Gaels? Tip off is at at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Hynes Athletics Center in New Rochelle, NY. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 133.5 points, and Iona is favored by -1.5 to win at home against Marist.
MARIST RED FOXES 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 Friday, January 3rd.
WHY BET THE IONA GAELS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-69 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 133.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.
Will Marist Pull Through as the Underdog Road Team?
Marist improved to 9-2 on the season with a 69-51 win over Binghamton on Sunday. The Red Foxes, who were -6.5 favorites, covered the spread at home. The game’s total points of 120 fell short of the 131.5 O/U line.
After trailing 27-23 at halftime, Marist turned things around in the 2nd half, scoring 46 points while holding Binghamton to 24.
Marist’s offense put up 69 points in their last game, shooting 50% from the field and hitting 43.8% from beyond the arc (7/16). Their effective field goal percentage was 57.1%, with a two-point shooting mark of 52.5% (21/40).
Elijah Lewis led the way, scoring 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range. He also added 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Josh Pascarelli contributed 15 points and 7 rebounds, shooting 6-of-12 overall and 2-of-5 from deep.
Even though Marist allowed 51 points, their defense struggled, giving up 50% shooting from the field. The Red Foxes allowed 28 field goals on 56 attempts.
Marist’s defense also gave up 7 offensive rebounds.
Can the Iona Offense Score Enough at Home?
Iona’s season struggles continued with a 67-61 loss to Harvard on Sunday, dropping their record to 4-9. The Gaels, who were -5.5 favorites, failed to cover the spread in this home game.
After a 26-26 tie at halftime, Iona was outscored 41-35 in the second half. The game’s total points of 128 fell short of the 139.5 O/U line.
Iona struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 34.3% from the field and 16.7% from beyond the arc, connecting on only 3 of 18 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 35.8%, but they did manage to hit 85.7% of their free throws, going 12 for 14 from the line.
Dejour Reaves led the Gaels with 22 points, shooting 41.2% overall and 40% from three. Thomas Batties II and Austin Hunt each contributed 16 points, with Hunt shooting 55.6% from the field. Tey Barbour was efficient, hitting 66.7% of his shots, including 60% from three-point range.
Despite giving up 18 offensive rebounds, Iona’s defense held strong, allowing just 67 points on 34% shooting. The Gaels limited their opponent to 40% on two-point attempts, with a 20/49 shooting performance.
Iona was particularly effective in defending the three-point line, where they held their opponent to just 3/18 shooting (16%). The Gaels also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 14 times, where they converted 12 attempts (85%).