Harvard vs Iona Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/29/24

The Harvard Crimson are visiting the Iona Gaels on Sunday, December 29th at the Hynes Athletics Center. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Harvard Crimson vs Iona Gaels Prediction.

Iona Gaels Preview

The Iona Gaels have a 4-8 record this season and are coming off a 79-73 win over Colgate. The Gaels are 7-5 against the spread, and 6-6 in over/under, while they have a 2-2 road record. 

Offensively, Iona is averaging just 67.1 points per game, which ranks 328th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 73.9 points per game (249th). The Gaels shoot 39.7% from the field (350th) and 30.3% from beyond the arc (314th). The Gaels shoot 64.4% from the free-throw line (343rd) and are grabbing 37.6 rebounds per game (122nd).

Dejour Reaves leads Iona in scoring with an average of 16.2 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Adam Njie adds 11.5 points and a team-high 3.2 assists. Iona will take on Marist following this one.

Harvard Crimson Preview

The Harvard Crimson have a 3-8 record this season and are coming off a 63-77 loss to Furman. The Crimson are 4-7 against the spread, and 5-6 in over/under while having a 1-6 road record. 

Offensively, Harvard is averaging 66.7 points per game, which ranks 333rd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 72.5 points per game (216th). The Crimson shoot 42.4% from the field (297th) and 30.1% from beyond the arc (321st). The Crimson shoot 75.6% from the free-throw line (65th) and are grabbing 32.9 rebounds per game (320th).

Robert Hinton leads Harvard in scoring with an average of 14.9 points and 4.6 rebounds, while Chandler Pigge adds 12.5 points and a team-high 7.8 rebounds. Harvard will meet Princeton, Brown, and Penn after this game.

Why the Iona Gaels will win

• Harvard has lost nine of its last 10 road games.
• Iona has won 16 of its last 19 day games at Hynes Athletics Center.
• Harvard has lost the first half in seven of its last eight road games against non-conference opponents.

Why the Harvard Crimson will win

• Harvard has won five of its last six games following a home loss.
• Iona has lost the first half in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents at Hynes Athletics Center.

Harvard Crimson vs Iona Gaels Prediction

Iona has won both previous meetings against Harvard but was 1-1 against the spread. In their most recent meeting last season, Iona won 69-60 on the road. In this Harvard Crimson vs Iona Gaels Prediction, Iona is coming as a -3.5 home favorites. Iona is better offensively, scoring 0.4 points more than Harvard, while Harvard is better defensively, allowing 1.4 points less. Both teams have been struggling mightily offensively, as they both sit in the bottom 40 of the nation, with 133.8 points per game combined. The Gaels are the 17th-worst team in field goal percentage, while the Crimson are in the bottom 70. I expect points to be at a premium in this matchup between two struggling offenses, so take the under.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: Under 140