The No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0) and Iona Gaels (5-0) meet Thursday for the ESPN Events Invitational in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Alabama vs. Iona odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Crimson Tide have fired out of the gate with four victories in four tries, including a 3-1 ATS mark. The Tide is coming off an 86-59 victory over Oakland University on Friday.
Rick Pitino’s Gaels have been impressive, winning all five of its games so far. Iona topped Appalachian State in the opener, and they had a close shave against Harvard in an OT win on Nov. 13. The past three games have been win and covers against Hofstra, Liberty and North Alabama.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Alabama vs. Iona odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Alabama -900 (bet $900 to win $100) | Iona +570 (bet $100 to win $570)
- Against the spread (ATS): Alabama -12.5 (-105) | Iona +12.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 149.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Alabama vs. Iona odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Alabama 82, Iona 70
Money line
Alabama (-900) will cost you nine times your potential return, and that’s too costly even though the Tide is the better team here.
AVOID, and look to the line instead.
Against the spread
IONA +12.5 (-120) is the lean here as Pitino’s bunch will have revenge on its mind. These teams met just last March with the Tide getting the best of the Gaels 68-55.
I don’t think Iona has enough in the tank to pull off the Thanksgiving upset, but with Louisville transfer Quinn Slazinski, and SMU transfer Tyson Jolly, the Gaels have some talent to hang tough like they did last March. Iona is a perfect 2-0 ATS in the past two neutral-site games, too.
Over/Under
OVER 149.5 (-107) is the lean, ever so slightly. The Tide hit the Over in the first two games this season before managing the Under in each of the past two. The Over has connected in three of the past four games, dropping 81 or more points in three of the past four.
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