Iona vs. Alabama Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Mar. 20, 2021

David Schwab
NCAA BK Expert
VegasInsider.com

Iona vs. Alabama Predictions

Alabama opens up tournament play on Saturday as a 17-point favorite. The total line for the 4 p.m. (ET) tip on TBS has been set at 147 points.

Playing out of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Iona played its way into the Big Dance with a successful run to the conference tournament title. However, it only played nine total conference games in the regular season.

Stepping up against No. 2 Alabama is more like a huge leap. I give credit to the Gaels for finishing the season on a high note but they are no match for the Tide in this opening round contest. Lay the points and bet the favorite in this one.

Alabama should be able to exceed its 80-point scoring average on Saturday. However, against such a high total line, it could also call off the dogs in the second half. That is why I am going with the UNDER as well.

• Score Prediction: Alabama 78 Iona 58
• Best Bets - Side: Alabama -17
• Best Bets - Total: UNDER 147

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Iona vs. Alabama Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: Alabama -17
• Total: 147
• Money-Line: Alabama -3000 Iona +1200

Odds to Win NCAA Tournament

• Iona 2000/1
• Alabama 16/1

Odds to Win East Regional

• Iona 100/1
• Alabama 4/1

Odds Subject to Change

First Round Predictions

Saturday's Early Action - Mar. 20 5 vs. 12 4 vs. 13 3 vs. 14 8 vs. 9 1 vs. 16 5 vs. 12 2 vs. 15 6 vs. 10

Handicapping Iona vs. Alabama

Iona was able to average more than 72 points on offense while holding opposing teams to fewer than 66 points a game. Yet, meeting either of these two averages against the SEC regular season and tournament champs will be more than a tall task.

The Tide did what it had to do to get past LSU by a point to win the SEC Tournament. They were clearly the best team in that conference throughout the entire season at 16-2 SU.

The SEC does not get all that much credit as a power basketball conference but Alabama’s No. 2 seed in the East Region was well deserved. Going back to early February, the Tide only have one SU loss in their last 10 games.

• Region: East
• Matchup: 2 vs. 15
• Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse
• Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
• Date: Mar. 20, 2021
• TV-Time: TBS - 4:00 p.m. (ET)

Handicapping Resources: March Madness Central | NCAA Consensus Picks

Betting Stats & Analysis - Iona Gaels

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

Iona posted a 5-0-1 record ATS in its last six games as part of a SU six-game winning streak. It went 11-5-1 ATS overall this season. It is 1-6 SU in its last seven games against a team from the SEC.

The total has stayed UNDER in four of the Gaels’ last five games. It has stayed UNDER in eight of their last nine games played in the month of March.

Seed: 15
Conference: MAAC
Bid: Auto

• SU: 12-5
• ATS: 11-5-1
• O/U: 9-8

• Current Form (Last 5): 5-0 SU, 4-0-1 ATS, 1-4 O/U
• Notable Wins: None

• PS/G: 72.2 (150th)
• PA/G: 65.9 (60th)
• Off Rtg: 103.4 (149th)
• Def Rtg: 94.4 (48th)

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Betting Stats & Analysis - Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama is 4-1 ATS over its last five contests. It went 15-11-1 ATS when closing as a favorite this season. It is 4-3 ATS in seven previous games played at a neutral site.

The total has stayed UNDER in five of the Tide’s last seven games. The total has stayed UNDER in three of their last five games played on the road.

Seed: 2
Conference: SEC
Bid: Auto

• SU: 23-6
• ATS: 17-11-1
• O/U: 13-16

• Current Form (Last 5): 5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS, 2-3 O/U
• Notable Wins: Tennessee (x2), Florida, Arkansas, LSU (x3)

• PS/G: 79.6 (29th)
• PA/G: 69.8 (166th)
• Off Rtg: 105.9 (99th)
• Def Rtg: 92,9 (25th)

First Round Predictions

Saturday's Late Action - Mar. 20 2 vs. 15 7 vs. 10 4 vs. 13 8 vs. 9 1 vs. 16 6 vs. 11 3 vs. 14 7 vs. 10

Key Players to Watch

Guard Isaiah Ross is the Gaels’ leading scoring this season with 18.4 points per game. He is shooting 45.5% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range. Guard Asante Gist is second on that list with 13.3 PPG but he left his last game with an undisclosed lower body injury.

Alabama has four players averaging at least 11 PPG. Guard Jaden Shackleford has led the way with a 14.2-point scoring average. Guard Jahvon Quinerly (12.7 points) is shooting 48.6% from the field and 44.3% from three-point range. Guard Joshua Primo (8.1 points) is listed as questionable with a knee injury.

• IONA - Isaiah Ross (18.4 PPG)
• IONA - Asante Gist (13.3 PPG)

• BAMA - Jaden Shackelford (14.2 PPG)
• BAMA - John Petty (12.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG)

March Madness Records & Trends

Iona Gaels

• All-Time Record: 1-14
• Last Appearance: 2019
• Deepest Run: Second Round (2013)

-- Iona has lost 14 of its last 15 NCAA Tournament games.
-- Iona has covered the spread in three of its last four games when playing on a neutral court.
-- Iona has covered the spread in five of its last six games.
-- Iona has gone UNDER the point total in four of its last five games.  

Alabama Crimson Tide

• All-Time Record: 21-21
• Last Appearance: 2018
• Deepest Run: Elite Eight (2004)

-- Alabama has lost five of its last seven NCAA Tournament games.
-- Alabama has failed to reach the Sweet 16 in four straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
-- Alabama has failed to win two or more games in a NCAA Tournament in nine of its last 10 NCAA Tournament appearances.
-- Alabama has covered the spread in four straight games.
-- Alabama has covered the spread in four of its last six games when playing on a neutral court.
-- Alabama has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four non-conference games.
-- Alabama has gone UNDER the point total in five of its last seven games.

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