It has been a strange year for the Iona Gaels, who are in danger of a losing season for just the second time in the past 16 seasons unless they secure a win in the MAAC Tournament on Tuesday over the Manhattan Jaspers.
Manhattan Jaspers vs. Iona Gaels (-8, 137)
Since top scorer, Greg Gordon left the Iona program, the team has posted a 2-4 record in six games without him, including a loss to this Manhattan team. But, Iona is unlikely to run into as hot of a shooting team as they did in its 77-60 loss on March 7.
Manhattan won the rebound battle, 34 to 19, and went 11-of-21 from 3-point range in the first meeting, which was an outlier on both fronts because it is normally ranked 332nd in total rebound rate and 312th in 3-point shooting percentage at 31.1%.
While Iona ranks 315th in rebound rate, it should be able to win the turnover battle again after forcing 14 Manhattan turnovers and turning the ball over 11 times in the first meeting.
In road games, Iona ranks fifth in the nation in turnovers forced per offensive play and Manhattan ranks 320th in turnovers committed per possession on offense.
While Iona has been averaging nearly 3.6 points per 100 possessions fewer on offense without Gordon than it was with him, Manhattan’s defense ranks 333rd in opponents’ 3-point shooting percentage and 280th in points allowed per possession.
After losing their first three games without Gordon, the Gaels enter having won two of their past three games and with point guard, Joel Brown, stepping up to average 13 points per game since Gordon left the team, Iona will get revenge for its March 7 defeat.
The Play: Iona -8
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