As the college basketball season heats up, Saint Peter's is looking to make a statement in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. With a 3-game win streak under their belt, the Peacocks are poised to take on Iona, a team also vying for tournament consideration. Saint Peter's currently boasts a NET ranking of 232, while Iona sits at 218, highlighting the importance of this matchup for both teams' bubble hopes.
The Gaels, with their 14-8 record, have been inconsistent of late, alternating between wins and losses in their last three outings. Meanwhile, Saint Peter's has been riding a wave of momentum, with their recent wins catapulting them to an 8-2 conference record. According to the CHD Scout prediction, Saint Peter's is favored to win by 3.8 points, with a 63.7% chance of emerging victorious. This prediction is likely influenced by the Peacocks' strong conference performance and the fact that they're playing at home.
CHD Scout Prediction
Iona
69
Saint Peter's
73
A win for Saint Peter's would not only bolster their tournament resume but also improve their quad record, currently sitting at 0-2 in Quad 1 and 0-1 in Quad 2 games. Iona, on the other hand, would greatly benefit from a road win, which would be classified as a Quad 3 victory. With the over/under set at 142.5, this game is expected to be a closely contested, high-scoring affair.
Tournament Stakes
Given the Peacocks' recent form and home-court advantage, I predict Saint Peter's will come out on top, 73-69. The CHD Scout prediction's margin of 3.8 points seems reasonable, and I expect the Peacocks to capitalize on their momentum and secure a crucial win in their pursuit of a tournament berth.