Harvard Crimson vs Iona Gaels Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our Harvard vs Iona NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in New Rochelle.

Harvard vs Iona Prediction

Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Crimson and Gaels. The game is starting at 1:00 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the Gaels at Hynes Athletics Center in New Rochelle, NY. Get ready to place your bets! This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 140.5 points, and Iona is favored by -4.5 vs. Harvard.

Harvard vs. Iona Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: Harvard Crimson at Iona Gaels
Where: New Rochelle at Hynes Athletics Center
Date: Sunday, December 29th
Betting Odds IONA -4.5, HARVRD +165 | IONA -201 O/U 140.5

Crimson Preview: Can the Crimson Pull the Upset on the Road?

Harvard Crimson Recent Game/Games

Harvard’s season record fell to 3-8 after a 77-63 home loss to Furman on Saturday. The Crimson, who entered the game as +2.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 140, just over the 139.5 O/U line.

Harvard led 32-31 at halftime but struggled defensively in the 2nd half, allowing 46 points while scoring only 31 themselves.

Crimson Offense Breakdown

Harvard's offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 37.9% from the field and 32% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was 44.8%, but they did hit 91.7% of their free throws, going 11-for-12 from the line.

PJay Smith Jr. led the way with 25 points, hitting 5-of-7 from beyond the arc and shooting 72.7% overall. He also added 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Chandler Pigge contributed 16 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 54.5% from the field.

Crimson Team Defense

Despite giving up 77 points, Harvard's defense held their opponent to just 37% shooting from the field. They limited two-point opportunities, with the other team making 14 of 33 shots for 42%.

From beyond the arc, Harvard allowed 8 threes on 25 attempts, a 32% shooting rate. The Crimson sent their opponent to the line 12 times, where they hit 11 free throws, a 91% success rate. Harvard also gave up 11 offensive rebounds.

Gaels Preview: Taking a Look at the Gaels Chances at Home

Iona Gaels Recent Game/Games

The Gaels improved to 4-8 on the season with a 79-73 win over Colgate on Sunday. Iona, who entered the game as +4 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.

Leading 36-32 at halftime, Iona scored 43 points in the 2nd half while allowing 41. The game’s total points of 152 went over the O/U line of 137.5.

Gaels Offense Breakdown

Iona put up 79 points in their last game, shooting 49.2% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 54%. They hit 58.5% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 31.8% of their threes.

Nicolas Louis-Jacques led the way with 27 points, shooting 61.1% overall and 36.4% from three. Dejour Reaves added 20 points and 9 rebounds, hitting 40% of his threes. The Gaels grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and dished out 14 assists, while shooting 62.5% from the free-throw line.

Gaels Team Defense

Despite Iona's defensive efforts, they allowed 73 points on 53% shooting from the field. Their opponents were effective inside, hitting 57% of their two-point attempts (16/28).

From beyond the arc, Iona gave up 10 threes on 47% shooting (10/21). They also sent their opponents to the line 16 times, where they made 11 free throws (68%).

Crimson vs Gaels Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Although Harvard has a straight up record of 1-9 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-8. The team averaged 65 points per game in these games.
In their last ten games at home, the Gaels have a straight up record of 3-7 while going 5-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 65 points per game in this stretch.
Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Harvard has an ATS mark of 2-8 while going 1-9 straight up.
In their last five contests as the favorite, Iona has a poor record vs the spread going 1-4. But, they still put together a straight up mark of 3-2.