UConn vs Iona Prediction, Game Preview, NCAA Tournament First Round

UConn vs Iona Prediction, Game Preview

UConn vs Iona How To Watch

Date: Friday, March 17
Game Time: 4:30 ET
Venue: MVP Arena, Albany, NY
How To Watch: TBS
Record: UConn (25-8), Iona (27-7)
- UConn vs Iona Expert Picks 
- NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

Why Iona Will Win

Rick Pitino's team gets on the move and knows how to put points on the board, but it wins with defense. 

Whether it's one of the nation's best defenses at guarding the three, or if it's 7-1 Osborn Shema coming up with blocked shots, the Gaels know how to hold high-powered teams in check.

Vermont is in the tournament. It was held to 50 points. Princeton has a great offense and made its way into this thing. It was stuffed from three and scored 64 points in a loss. 

On a 14-game winning streak, Iona has allowed 80 or more points just once since late December. UConn isn't great when it doesn't score 70 points or more - it's 4-4 when it doesn't get there - and ...
- 25 Worst Basketball/Football Schools

Why UConn Will Win

UConn is 15-0 when scoring 80 points or more.

Iona is 0-5 when it allows 80 points or more.

Both teams play tough defense, but UConn's is better. 

It can match Iona big play for big play, block for block, and stopped three for stopped three. But if this opens up a bit and both teams get into good flow, UConn is far better equipped to get on the move and make things happen inside or out.

Iona doesn't have the depth to run, it doesn't shoot threes like the Huskies do, and ... 

UConn vs Iona What's Going To Happen

Iona is going to be a fashionable upset call because of Pitino, the defense, and the overall style of play, but ... 

Nah.

UConn is flying a bit under the radar for a 4 seed. It's versatile, has a nice mix of talents, and it's got a whole lot of size. Iona's bulk up front won't matter in this.

It'll be entertaining for a while, and then the Huskies will run the Gaels out of the gym for a stretch before relying on the defense over the last five minutes.

UConn vs Iona Prediction, Line

UConn 80, Iona 68
Line: UConn -9, o/u: 141
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Must See Ranking: 3
- UConn vs Iona Expert Picks 
- NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews