| MATCHUP | Iona Gaels | Canisius Golden Griffins |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 14-11 | 8-17 |
| Where | Koessler Athletic Center, Buffalo, NY | |
| When | Friday, February 13, 2026 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EST | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The Iona Gaels and the Canisius Golden Griffins meet Friday in college basketball action from Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo. Here’s an Iona vs Canisius prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Iona vs Canisius pick. We will examine the recent form and player performances for both teams, as well as the recent betting trends and streaks pertaining to this matchup. As we conclude, we will tie it all together with a summary that produces a sensible pick for a favorable betting outcome in this game.
Iona Gaels Betting Preview
Iona got through their first 18 games on a pretty reasonable run. The Gaels were sitting at 12-6 overall by early January. Since then however, Iona has only beaten Merrimack and Manhattan in a 2-5 stretch. The losses otherwise during that time have come versus Rider, Saint Peter’s, Fairfield, Siena and Mount St. Mary’s. In 25 games that gives the Gaels a 14-11 record in the books.
In the Mount St. Mary’s matchup last weekend the Gaels entered the second half with a 39-34 deficit. Iona didn’t end up getting any closer on a 44-42 deficit from there and took the loss in the end on their home floor 83-76. Lamin Sabally had 20 points with 11 rebounds and three assists for the Gaels in the losing effort, and CJ Anthony turned in 14 points with eight assists.
Canisius Golden Griffins Betting Preview
Over on the Canisius side, they managed a .500 record across their first 16 games. The losses in that time were versus Dayton, St. Bonaventure, High Point, Buffalo, Saint Peter’s, Siena, Rhode Island and Duquesne. It’s been losses to Iona, Niagara, Mount St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart, Fairfield, Marist, Siena, Niagara and Quinnipiac since then though, giving the Griffins an 8-17 record.
Matched up against Quinnipiac last Thursday the Golden Griffins were sitting in the locker room with a 10-point deficit 41-31. Canisius was outscored 34-29 the rest of the way in a loss on the road 75-60. Bryan Ndjonga put up 19 points with five rebounds and one assist as the only player on the team to reach double-digits in the losing effort. Brendan Oliver added nine points and five rebounds.
Iona Gaels @ Canisius Golden Griffins Betting Trends: February 13, 2026
Why the Canisius Golden Griffins will win
- Iona has lost each of its last five road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- The home team has won four of the last five games between Iona and Canisius.
Why the Iona Gaels will win
- Canisius has lost each of its last nine games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Iona has won 13 of its last 14 games against Canisius.
- Canisius has lost the first half in seven of its last eight night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Iona vs Canisius Prediction
I’ll stick with Iona. The Gaels will need a good bounce-back here after a home loss to Mount St. Mary’s, though. In that one Iona shot 42.4 percent from the field with a 34-27 rebounding deficit, but the big contributor to the defeat was the 50 percent shooting surrendered on defense. Iona has lost three straight games now, giving up 71 or more points in all of them and 79 or more in two.
These teams last met up back on January 11 in a blowout home win 74-48 for the Gaels. In that matchup Iona shot a very nice 53.7 percent from the field with a 40-29 rebounding edge and a 30-20 advantage on points in the paint. The Gaels did cough up 13 turnovers, though. Iona should be able to keep Canisius in check during the road rematch if all goes well.