The Iona Gaels have been quietly going about their business as one of the best offensive teams in the nation, and they may be ready to make some noise in the NCAA tournament in a few short weeks. Iona is sitting on a 17-8 overall and 14-2 MAAC record and will probably be invited to the tournament for the third straight year. The Gaels are averaging 83.3 points per game—seventh in the nation—and may be peaking at just the right time with nine consecutive victories.

The Rider Broncs have three home games left over their last four matchups of the year, and while their season will probably not extend past March, the Broncs could at least end on a high note. The team has a respectable 9-7 conference record but still has two matchups left against the MAAC-leading Gaels. Let’s take a closer look at Friday’s matchup and figure out which side of the wager has the most value to bet on.

Iona at Rider Betting Story Lines

Iona is on an impressive nine-game winning streak and has won 11 of its last 12 as well. The squad, which has five double-digit scorers, could end the season ranked in the AP Top 25 and be one of those Cinderella-type teams that nobody wants to face in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gaels are receiving excellent production from their backcourt as both A.J. English and Sean Armand average 17.6 points per game. English has also added four rebounds, 4.5 assists and one steal, while Armand contributes 3.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Iona has not been a reliable ATS team over the course of the season and has a 11-12 ATS record. The Gaels, however, have covered two of their last three and six of their last 10 games and are coming off a 19-point blowout over Monmouth in their last outing. Iona managed to shoot .467 from the field while holding its opponent to only .250 percent shooting from the three-point line.

Rider was a in the mix of things near the top of the MAAC as little as three weeks ago, but a three-game losing streak sent the squad to the middle-of-the-pack in the conference standings. The team, however, seemed to turn things around with a nine-point victory over Fairfield in its last matchup and may be ready to end the season on a winning streak.

The Broncs are 8-12-1 ATS on the season and were on a four-game ATS losing streak prior to their previous win and cover against Fairfield. Rider is a solid offensive team, and averages 74.6 points per game, which is ranked 91st in the nation. The team has three double-digit scorers and is being led by the 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists from senior Anthony Myles.

Iona at Rider NCAA Betting Odds and Key Trends

Iona opened as a four-point favorite over the underdog Broncs at BetOnline. Iona is 6-2 ATS in its last eight overall games and in its last eight against MAAC teams. The squad is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games following a SU win but only 2-5 ATS in its last seven road games against teams with a winning home record. Iona has gone “over” the total in 13 of its last 16 Friday games.

Rider is 1-4 ATS in its last five overall games and in its last five against MAAC teams. The squad is also 0-6-1 ATS in its last seven home games and 1-7 ATS in its last eight games following a SU win. Rider is 1-4 ATS in its last five against teams with a winning SU record and has gone over the total in seven of its last nine home games. Head-to-head, Iona is 5-1 ATS in the last six games in Rider.

Free College Basketball Picks: Iona Gaels at Rider Broncs Predictions

Iona has played great basketball over the last two months of the season and should come into Friday’s matchup ready to continue that streak. The Gaels have not played in a week and will be well-rested and ready for the challenge of closing off the season strong before they head into the MAAC and NCAA Tournaments. Iona is an excellent field goal shooting team and spreads the ball around on offense, which should be enough to earn a victory over a good, yet struggling, Rider team. Take Iona minus the points.

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Read more articles by George Monroy