Vermont vs Iona Prediction 11/2/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

Vermont vs Iona Prediction

I’ll lean toward Vermont. The Catamounts are a trendy pick to at least make a return to the America East championship game, but whether or not the team can earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament remains to be seen. The good news is that Gus Yalden is back in the mix for Vermont after 16.1 PPG and 5.8 RPG last year. He’ll be a key cog in the machine as the Catamounts attempt to keep their run going.

As for Iona, they don’t look too bad on paper. The Gaels are coming off a rough first-round loss in the conference tournament last season, so doing some damage in that format will be a priority this year. Iona has a bit more athleticism and versatility this year, so they could very well make a name for themselves in the MAAC.

Game Info, Stats and Previews

The Vermont Catamounts and the Iona Gaels meet Monday in college basketball action from Hynes Athletic Center. Here’s a Vermont vs Iona prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Vermont vs Iona 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.

Vermont Catamounts Betting Preview

Last year the Catamounts posted a pretty nice season overall. Vermont went 22-12 with a 12-4 run in the American East Conference, which put the team behind only UMBC in the standings. The Catamounts were able to beat Bryant and NJIT in the America East Tournament but fell short of moving on with a loss to UMBC in the championship game.

Vermont brings back head coach John Becker for his 16th year at the helm this season. During that time he’s generated a 351-144 overall record. He’ll have some hefty expectations on hand this year, as Vermont ranked 45th in scoring defense last season. Maintaining that level of play could be tricky though, as the Catamounts bring in 10 new players this season.

Iona Gaels Betting Preview

Over on the Gaels’ side, they had a fairly middling year in 2025-26. Iona went 18-14 overall with a 10-10 run in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Gaels were pretty far down the standings with that mark, a bit lower than anticipated. Iona didn’t last long in the MAAC Tournament, losing to Sacred Heart in their first game.

This year Iona gets head coach Dan Geriot back for his second year with the school. He’ll have a few key names back in the fold this year to provide some continuity, namely Kosy Akametu (11.0 PPG), Luke Jungers (6.0 PPG) and Alliou Fall (2.7 PPG). They’ll join up with some veteran presence installed via the transfer portal.

Vermont Catamounts @ Iona Gaels Betting Trends: November 2, 2026

Why the Iona Gaels will win

• The home team has won seven of Vermont’s last eight games.
• Vermont has lost four of its last five night games against the Metro Conference.

Why the Vermont Catamounts will win

• Vermont has won each of its last four night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• Iona ranked T50th among Division 1 teams for three-point field goals made per game last season (9.6).
• Vermont ranked 23rd among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game last season (54.0).
• Vermont ranked 24th among Division 1 teams for opponent rebounds per game last season (31.2).

Andrew Jett's Pick: Vermont Catamounts +1