Iona vs. UConn basketball picks, predictions: Who wins NCAA Tournament first-round game?

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic
·3 min read
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No. 13 seed Iona and No. 4 seed UConn face off on Friday in an NCAA Tournament first-round game.

The game is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. MST and can be seen on TBS.

Who will win the game?

Check out these picks and predictions for the contest.

UConn is a 9.5-point favorite in the game, according to Tipico Sportsbook.

Fansided: UConn will cover against Iona

Joseph Summers writes: "Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins both average over 16 points per game and are better scorers than nearly anyone the Gaels have faced this year. Overall, the Huskies are too deep and talented for Iona to keep up. Trust the Huskies to win this matchup by double-digits with a dominant performance inside and improve to 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games as favorites."

FanDuel: UConn 72, Iona 68

Devon Platana writes: "UConn also has the advantage in the paint, where it averages 39.0 rebounds (No. 12) compared to Iona's 35.7 (No. 97). The Huskies' play down low will also exploit their opponent's lack of discipline. The Gaels take 16.3 personal fouls per game and the Huskies will make them pay for that with their 75.4% free-throw percentage (No. 47). Iona is clearly out of its league in this one or else the odds wouldn't look as they do. Back UConn punching its ticket to the next round."

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Sports Chat Place: Take UConn to cover vs. Iona

Chris Ruffolo writes: "I’m backing the Huskies here, but it’s not a game I’m rushing to bet at this number. I wouldn’t be surprised if Iona made this a game, but I just think the Huskies are too strong and have too much momentum for even Iona to hang around here. Look for the Huskies to really make a statement here and come out strong so I’ll lay the points with the Huskies here."

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Can Iona beat UConn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament?
Can Iona beat UConn in the first round of the NCAA Tournament?

Dimers: UConn 75, Iona 66

It writes: "Dimers.com's predicted final score for Iona vs. Connecticut at MVP Arena this Friday has Connecticut winning 75-66."

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Sporting News: Go with UConn in game against Iona

Sam Jarden writes: "Go with UConn here. As tempting as it is to take a chance on Pitino and the Gaels to pull off the upset, the Huskies are getting hot at the right time and look primed for a run this March. Iona simply hasn't proven itself against top opponents yet this season, and it's too risky to expect them to do so for the first time in the NCAA Tournament."

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Iona vs. UConn picks, predictions for NCAA Tournament first-round game