UConn Huskies (25-8) vs. Iona Gaels (27-7)
March 17, 2023 4:30 pm EDT
The Line: UConn Huskies -9.5 / Iona Gaels +9.5; Over/Under: +143.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The UConn Huskies and the Iona Gaels meet in an NCAA Tournament First Round matchup in college basketball action from the MVP Arena on Friday.
UConn Huskies Team Preview
The UConn Huskies come into the NCAA Tournament after recording a 25-8 overall mark in the regular season, with a 13-7 conference mark. The Huskies would take out Providence in the Big East conference tournament quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Marquette in the semis. Adama Sanogo leads the Huskies in scoring and rebounding with 16.8 PPG and 7.3 RPG while Jordan Hawkins has 16.1 PPG and Tristen Newton has 10.2 PPG with a team-high 4.6 APG to lead the Huskies in assists and to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for UConn up to this point in the year. As a team, UConn is averaging 78.5 PPG on 46% shooting from the field, 35.7% from three and 75.4% from the foul line this season.
Iona Gaels Team Preview
The Iona Gaels come into the NCAA tournament after going 27-7 in the regular season, including 17-3 in MAAC conference play to earn the MAAC’s regular season championship. Iona took down Mount St. Mary’s and Niagara before defeating Marist to hoist the MAAC Conference tournament title and earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Walter Clayton JR. leads the Gaels in scoring with 16.9 PPG along with 4.3 RPG and 3.2 APG while Daniss Jenkins has 15.6 PPG along with a team-high 4.9 APG to lead the Gaels in the assist department. Nelly Junior Joseph has 15.1 PPG with a team-high 9.4 RPG to lead Iona on the glass as well this season. As a team, Iona is averaging 76.4 PPG on 46.1% shooting from the field, 36% from three and 73.1% from the foul line this season.
Pick
I’m backing the Huskies here, but it’s not a game I’m rushing to bet at this number. I wouldn’t be surprised if Iona made this a game, but I just think the Huskies are too strong and have too much momentum for even Iona to hang around here. Look for the Huskies to really make a statement here and come out strong so I’ll lay the points with the Huskies here.
