NCAA Basketball Betting: Manhattan vs. Iona Odds & Pick: January 22nd 2010

Manhattan vs. Iona
Free Pick: Manhattan +3.0 (-110 odds)
Fri January 22nd 2010 9:00p
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We think that there is a surprise in store when the 7-11 Manhattan Jaspers host the 13-6 Iona Gaels in Friday night MAAC action on ESPNU.

Yes, Manhattan has lost three straight games to fall to 2-6 in the conference, but they covered the spread in two of those losses, both on the road with one being at conference kingpin Siena, and the only home loss during this streak was in overtime. The Jaspers have been cashing tickets, going 3-1 ATS in their last four games, and they are outscoring their Division I home opponents by a nice average of +8.3 points this season.

What we like about this matchup is that Iona relies on its defense and Manhattan simply does not turn the ball over. In fact, according to the Pomeroy Ratings, the Jaspers only turn the ball over on 16.0 percent of their possessions, which is amazingly eighth best in the entire country.

When Iona is not turning people over, they become a rather ordinary basketball team. Sure, they are averaging a respectable 68.6 points per game vs. DI foes, but many of those points have come off of steals and turnovers. The fact of the matter is that Iona has an adjusted offensive efficiency rating of 1.016 points per possession, which ranks just 156 in the country.

Also, with this being a rare nationally televised game for these teams, it should be a great Friday night atmosphere here in the Big Apple, and that should only boost the performance of the home club even more. Speaking of home teams, they are 12-5-1 in this head-to-head series, including a 52-39 Jaspers win here last season.

Look for that home dominance in this series to continue for at least one more game tonight.

CBB Free Pick: Manhattan +3 (-110)