Sacred Heart vs Iona Prediction 3/5/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Iona Gaels and the Sacred Heart Pioneers will meet on Thursday night in a MAAC Tournament matchup at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Sacred Heart Pioneers Betting Preview

The Sacred Heart Pioneers enter Thursday’s game with a 13–18 overall win-loss record, including a 9-11 mark in conference play and an 8-5 record at home. The Pioneers have compiled wins over Dartmouth, Mount St. Mary’s and Holy Cross, while losing games to Marist, Penn State, Iona and the Central Connecticut Blue Devils.

These two teams met earlier this season. Who prevailed? Three months ago, the Iona Gaels defeated the Sacred Heart Pioneers 81-69.   

The Sacred Heart Pioneers are averaging 74.7 points on 42.9 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent shooting from three-point range (69th in nation) per game. Defensively, the Pioneers are allowing opponents 77.7 points per contest.

Senior forward Anquan Hill leads the Sacred Heart Pioneers averaging 17.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.1 blocks per game. Senior guard Dashon Gittens contributes 15.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals per contest. Junior forward Yann Farell averages 10.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.

Iona Gaels Betting Preview

The Iona Gaels enter Thursday evening’s contest with an 18–13 overall record, including a 10-10 mark in conference play and a 6-8 record on the road. The Gaels have compiled wins over Vermont, Bryant, Sacred Heart and the Oregon State Beavers, while dropping games to St. John’s, Akron and the Green Bay Phoenix.

Earlier this season, in the Iona Gaels 83–78 victory over the Vermont Catamounts nine days ago, Iona guard Keshawn Williams accumulated 20 points (9 of 15 shooting from the field), 5 rebounds and 1 assist illustrating his ability to lead the Gaels backcourt.

The Iona Gaels average 73.6 points on 43.8 percent shooting from the field and 35.5 percent shooting from behind the arc per game. The Gaels are allowing opponents 72.5 points per contest.

Senior guard CJ Anthony leads the Iona Gaels averaging 13.9 points, 3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Senior forward Lamin Sabally contributes 11.4 points, 8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals per contest, while senior forward Toby Harris averages 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.

Why the Sacred Heart Pioneers will win

• Senior forward Anquan Hill leads the Sacred Heart Pioneers averaging 17.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1 assist and 1.1 blocks per game.

• Offensive edge. The Sacred Heart Pioneers are averaging 74.7 points on 42.9 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent shooting from three-point range (69th in nation) per game.

• Home court edge. The Sacred Heart Pioneers have compiled a robust 8-5 record at home.

Why the Iona Gaels will win

• Confidence. The Iona Gaels defeated the Sacred Heart Pioneers 81-69 earlier this season.

• Frontcourt presence. Senior forward Lamin Sabally contributes 11.4 points, 8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals per contest

• Quality guard play. Senior guard CJ Anthony leads the Iona Gaels averaging 13.9 points, 3 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

• Defensive advantage. The Gaels are allowing opponents 72.5 points per game. Conversely, the Pioneers are averaging 77.7 points per contest.

Iona Gaels vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers Prediction

The Iona Gaels rebounding strength and balanced scoring give the Gaels a legitimate path to controlling this matchup. The Sacred Heart Pioneers strong perimeter shooting and offensive pace certainly make the Pioneers a dangerous opponent in this contest. With that said, Iona’s rebounding advantage and more stable defensive profile give the Gaels the clearer path to covering a short number (2.5) in this matchup. For the reasons just noted, I am backing the Iona Gaels to cover the 2.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: Iona -2.5