Iona Gaels at Quinnipiac Bobcats 2/17/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The Iona Gaels travel on the road to the People’s United Center to take on the struggling Quinnipiac Wildcats. Iona had a four-game winning streak, in part due to a long layoff from December 23rd to February 12th, snapped with a home-loss to Manhattan dropping to 6-4 (4-2 conference). Quinnipiac has lost three-straight, fresh off being swept by Canisius and dropping to 5-9 (3-7 conference).

Iona has had a nice balance between the offense and defense, the Gaels are scoring 72.2 points per game ranking 160th in scoring offense. Iona is shooting a conference-best 44.9% from the field and a combination of the senior star of Isaiah Ross and the emergence of freshman Nelly Junior Joseph have led the way for the Gaels.

Isaiah Ross is scoring a team-high 20.8 points on an efficient 50.3% from the field and 43.3% from beyond the arc on over 6.5 attempts per game. The freshman Nelly Junior Joseph is adding 12 points per game and is pulling down a team-high 7.3 rebounds per game. Facilitating the offense is Asante Gist, he’s dishing out 4.3 assists per game and adding 11.5 points per game.

Quinnipiac has lost three straight games and has struggled mightily on the offensive end averaging just 67.3 points per game ranking 274th in the country in scoring offense. The Bobcats are shooting 41% from the field, 304th in the country, and 33.3% from three. Quinnipiac is 337th in KenPom adjusted offense. 

Only two players come in scoring double-figures, led by senior guard Jacob Rigoni scoring 12.4 points and pulling down a team-high 5.9 rebounds per game. Rigoni is shooting a solid 38.4% from three on over six attempts per game. Freshman Tymu Chenery has made some nice contributions averaging 10.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per contest.

Iona, as previously mentioned, is a solid team on both ends they’re allowing 68.1 points per game ranking 119th in the country in scoring defense. Opponents are shooting 42.5% from the field and 31.9% from three, ranking 143rd and 97th respectively. Iona is 247th in KenPom adjusted defense.

Quinnipiac has been a solid defense, especially when you factor in their much more uptempo pace, allowing 69.8 points per game ranking 169th in the country in scoring defense. The Bobcats are 2nd in effective field-goal percentage, with opponents shooting 38.3% from the field and 29% from beyond the arc. Quinnipiac is 172nd in KenPom adjusted defense.