(CTN Information) – The Connecticut Huskies and Iona Gaels will meet on Friday within the first spherical of the NCAA Match 2023 bracket.
The sport ideas off at 4:30 ET at MVP Enviornment in Albany, N.Y. The Huskies (25-8) completed fourth within the ultra-competitive Large East earlier than dropping to Marquette within the semifinals. Pitino’s Gaels head into March Insanity 2023 having gained the MAAC common season and NCAA Match.
Based mostly on Caesars Sportsbook’s newest Iona vs. UConn odds, the Huskies are favored by 9 factors with an over/beneath of 141.5. Take a look at SportsLine Projection Mannequin predictions and March Insanity betting recommendation earlier than you make any picks.
We simulate each Division I faculty basketball recreation 10,000 instances with the SportsLine Projection Mannequin. Within the 2023 NCAA Match, the mannequin goes 79-53 on all top-rated picks, returning almost $1,300 for $100 gamers. The returns have been large for anybody who’s adopted it.
It’s time for the mannequin’s March Insanity predictions now that it has settled on Iona and UConn. Listed below are SportsLine’s picks. Take a look at these faculty basketball odds for UConn vs. Iona:
There’s a -9 level unfold between Iona and UConn
Over/beneath for Iona vs. UConn: 141.5
UConn -480, Iona +360 on the cash line
Total, the Gaels are 10-3 towards the unfold
In 22 NCAA Match video games, UCONN is 16-6 ATS
See SportsLine’s picks for Iona vs. UConn
Why UConn can do it
Husky’s roster is large, deep, and skilled. These benefits ought to make them harder towards a smaller-conference workforce. It’s been a nightmare for opponents all season to match up with Adama Sanogo. A flexible 6-9 participant, he averaged 16.8 factors and seven.3 rebounds and shot 59.4% from the sector. Additionally, he shoots 35.4% from 3-point vary and 78% from free throws.
Right here’s why Iona can assist
In the course of the season, any workforce with a successful streak like Iona’s has develop into accustomed to popping out on high and has developed the assumption that it could actually beat anybody. It’s no secret that Pitino is a grasp at forming a recreation plan on quick discover. With a prolific and environment friendly backcourt, the Gaels have a lineup that’s conducive to success within the NCAA Match.
Averaging 16.9 factors, 4.3 rebounds, and three.2 assists, sophomore Walter Clayton Jr. leads the way in which. When it comes to 3-pointers, he shoots 42.9% and free throws, he shoots 95%. Clayton and ahead Nelly Junior Joseph had been named first workforce all MAAC.
On common, Joseph scores 15.1, grabs 9.4 rebounds, and blocks 1.5 pictures. It’ll be as much as the 6-9, 240-pound junior to neutralize UConn’s measurement. The Iona guards share the ball properly and common 15 assists per recreation, led by Daniss Jenkins with 4.9.
What to select between Iona and UConn
It’s leaning over on the NCAA Match level complete, projecting 144 factors for each groups. One other factor it says is that one aspect of the unfold hits properly over 60% of the time. At SportsLine, you possibly can solely see the mannequin’s decide.
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