The visiting Iona Gaels hope to send their backers to the pay window on Thursday as they look to cover the spread at Gallagher Center against the Niagara Purple Eagles.

The Purple Eagles currently sports a 13-8 record overall in NCAAB action, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 8-8-1 ATS. The Gaels are 14-7 and 10-9 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Purple Eagles produce a 7-6-1 OVER/UNDER record on the season, while the Gaels have gone 11-4 against the number.



View Iona vs Niagara Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had set the Purple Eagles as 1-point favorites on the Sportsbook line for this contest. It may have moved, check for updates.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Purple Eagles, most recently No. 221 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Gaels, who rate No. 219 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 82-78 victory for the Gaels.



How They Match Up:
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Niagara has the nation's No. 43-rated offensive output, at 74 PPG. The visiting Gaels defense ranks No. 334 allowing on average 75.6 PPG. The Purple Eagles FG% has averaged 42.9% so far, less than the Gaels marksmen have achieved on the year, 46% per game.

Defensively, Iona features the nation's No. 298-rated defense on the road, allowing 75.8 points per game. Niagara, meanwhile, comes in at No. 47 nationally in scoring at home.

Last time out for Iona, they were a 79-71 Sportsbook as they battled Loyola on the road. They covered in the match as a 1.5-point underdog. The Gaels grabbed a 79-71 win over the Greyhounds on Sunday, behind a 23-point effort from Lamont Jones at Reitz Arena.

Last time out for Niagara, they were a 66-65 Sportsbook as they battled Canisius on the road. They covered in the match as a 4-point underdog. Niagara got 23 points from Marvin Jordan en route to a 66-65 victory over Canisius on Sunday at Koessler Center.


Iona Gaels Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 3-5
Before playing Canisius are 10-0
After playing Loyola are 5-5
After a win are 7-3

Niagara Purple Eagles Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-3
Before playing Loyola are 5-5
After playing Canisius are 4-6
After a win are 7-3

A few Gaels at Purple Eagles trends to consider:
Iona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Iona is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Niagara
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Iona's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Iona's last 6 games when playing on the road against Niagara
Niagara is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Niagara is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Niagara's last 10 games
Niagara is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Iona


Next up:
Iona at Canisius, Saturday, February 2
Niagara home to Loyola, Saturday, February 2