The Sacred Heart Pioneers take on the Iona Gaels in Atlantic City, NJ, in the first round of the MAAC tournament. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Iona is favored by 2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -170. The total is set at 148.5 points.
Here’s our Sacred Heart vs. Iona predictions and college basketball picks for March 5, 2026.
Sacred Heart vs Iona Prediction
Pick: Under 148.5
The Sacred Heart vs Iona best bet is on the under. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Sacred Heart vs. Iona Odds
| Sacred Heart Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+2.5 -102 | 150.5 -110o / -110u | +140 |
| Iona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-2.5 -120 | 148.5 -110o / -110u | -170 |
- Sacred Heart vs Iona spread: Iona -2.5
- Sacred Heart vs Iona over/under: 148.5 points
- Sacred Heart vs Iona moneyline: Sacred Heart +140, Iona -170
Sacred Heart vs Iona College Basketball Betting Preview
Dan Geriot was hired at Iona this past offseason after logging time as an assistant coach in the NBA with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Well, the Gaels have had a solid first season with him at the helm, as they have an 18-13 overall record with an average 10-10 mark in the league.
In their lone meeting with Sacred Heart, the Gaels pummeled the Pioneers, 81-69, on the road.
Now both teams head to a neutral site in Atlantic City, and our very own Evan Abrams says the play on this one is the under — based on his system "Stadium Unders."
This system has a strong 26% return on investment (ROI) since its inception, including a 16% ROI this 2025-26 season alone.
In college basketball, games played in specific arenas often trend under due to consistent environmental and stylistic factors tied to the venue rather than neutral-court unfamiliarity.
Many of these places, both home and neutral, feature deeper backdrops, unique lighting and court setups that slow pace and limit shooting efficiency.
Teams playing in these environments (in this case, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall) — especially those coming off an under in their previous outing — tend to continue that pattern as coaches emphasize defense and control over tempo.
Across multiple seasons, these venues have shown a reliable tendency for lower scoring outcomes, making the under a favorable position in arenas where shooting rhythm and offensive flow are historically harder to sustain.
Pick: Under 148.5
