Iona v. Manhattan
Posted Plays: 4-3
Sorry about grammar and bad spelling, did this on break at work so had to hurry.
Line : Manhattan -4.5
Iona comes into this game having clinched the MAAC regular season title with Quinnipac’s loss. They have been playing good basketball, and already beat this Manhattan team on 1/31 by 12 in a game they were favored by only 2.5. Manhattan on the other hand comes into this game after having lost to Siena by 4. I think it is safe to say that Manhattan was looking forward to this game in that lost to Siena at Siena. This is a large rivalry game and there are some reasons I think that Manhattan holds some value tonight:
1. This is a one bid league, and Iona has already clinched the 1 seed. However, Manhattan can still get the 2 seed and that would be huge because then they wouldn’t match up with Iona until the title game. Iona has already got the 1 seed, don’t have nearly as much to play for.
2. Even though the first loss was by 12, the final score doesn’t show how close the game really was throughout. Manhattan was up six early in the second half and only down 2 with under 5 mins left. Six of Manhattan 7 losses have been by six points or fewer.
3. Revenge. For the game early this year where they lost by 12 in a rivalry. This Iona team is the same team that beat Manhattan 60-57 in last years MAAC tournament final. I think there might be some built up frustration here.
4. Manhattan seniors. This Manhattan is a true feel good story, when Masiello took over these seniors which were freshman then were 6-25. Look at all the success that this program has had since then and the growth. I think you see a huge game out of these seniors including Beamon, Alvarado, and Brown. Beamon is an absolute stud, and I think he has a huge game here. Manhattan wants to beat their rivals in a big game before these guys graduate.
5. The line. So let me get this straight, the number 1 team in the league is 4.5 point dogs on the road after not having lost since Jan 17? In the last matchup the line was Iona -2.5 at Iona. Giving the standard 6 point for a home team, you are telling me on a neutral court Manhattan would be favored by 3.5 or 4. Something about this line doesn’t make sense to me, and makes me think that the books want the Iona action.
6. Iona’s defense. Its horrible, flat out. If Iona can outscore you, they will win. That is all their coach seems to care about. Anyone who has watched this team knows that. They don’t aren’t strong defensively. In a game at Manhattan where Manhattan’s defense should be playing hard as all hell, I think Iona might struggle offensively here. If this Iona team struggles a little offensively, good luck winning the game with how they play defense.
7. Manhattan wants this one, bad. I think you see a great effort out of them tonight, and with the way Iona plays defense, wouldn’t be surprised to see a blowout to be honest.
Play: Manhattan -4.5
I have since noticed since I started this write up that the line has gone up to 5 at my book. I am going to wait until game time believing that most people will see the number 1 team in the MAAC conference getting 5 points against a team that they already beat by 12 and pound Iona. I believe the public will bring this line back down to 4ish by game time. At that point, I will take Manhattan. Anything above 5 I am not quite as sure. I see that 51% on covers at on Manhattan, I really hope that changes. If it does not I might just play a first half play on Manhattan to cover against a backdoor cover for a team that can really shoot the three.
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