Iona vs. Siena prediction and odds for Friday, January 27 (Gaels push to top of MAAC)

Rick Pitino’s Iona Gaels have a chance to jump to the top of the MAAC tonight.

Iona comes into this matchup at 13-6 and 6-2 in conference, a half game behind the 13-7 (7-2) Siena Saints. This is the first matchup of the season for the MAAC’s top two teams. Last time out, Iona took down Manhattan, 84-76 last Friday.

Siena is coming off a loss to Fairfield, 62-52. The Saints will need a big bounce back to win this one at home. Let’s check out the odds for this MAAC matchup.

Iona vs. Siena odds, spread and total

Iona vs. Siena prediction and pick

Iona has slipped up twice in conference, but this is the best team in the MAAC. The Gaels are 77th in KenPom and the next closest team in the conference is Quinnipiac at 131. Siena is all the way down at 176.

Iona is good on the offensive end of the floor with Daniss Jenkins averaging 16.3 points a game, Nelly Junior Joseph scoring 15.6, and Walter Clayton Jr. chipping in with 15.6. Clayton Jr. only had three points in 16 minutes off the bench, in Iona’s last loss back on January 15, but he joined the starting lineup against Manhattan and we’ve seen the impact already.

Clayton Jr. played 40 minutes and had 21 points, six rebounds and six assists in that win. Pitino seems to be pulling the right strings with the Gaels right now and I’ll back his team to win and cover even on the road.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change