Iona Gaels vs Green Bay Phoenix picks and predictions November 24th 2025

Game Preview: Green Bay Phoenix @ Iona Gaels

Green Bay continues its early-season tournament swing when it faces the Iona Gaels in a neutral-site matchup at the Sports and Fitness Center in Saint Thomas. Both teams enter Monday’s contest seeking important nonconference momentum before December scheduling tightens. The Green Bay Phoenix come in at 2-5 and have struggled to establish consistency outside of their home floor, while the Iona Gaels stand at 5-1 and continue to push pace under an offense built around efficient perimeter shooting.

Books opened Iona around -7.5 with a total of 154.5, reflective of a matchup featuring one fast-paced team and another still searching for scoring reliability. This game also provides context within broader tournament play, and additional college hoops breakdowns can be found on the NCAAB previews hub at the NCAAB previews page.

Odds and Key Information

The spread has remained stable with Iona holding as a multi-possession favorite. Early bettors have leaned toward the Gaels given their offensive production and more efficient scoring profile. The total sits at 154.5, with market indicators showing mixed action due to pace contrast—Green Bay leans slower, Iona leans fast.

Coaching staff from both sides expect tempo to dictate the matchup. Green Bay emphasized improving defensive transition discipline, while Iona highlighted controlling the glass and reducing self-inflicted turnovers. Player availability has been steady for both teams, though rotations continue to evolve as lineups adjust to early-season roles.

Green Bay Phoenix Outlook

Green Bay enters Monday off its most complete showing of the season, earning a 79-75 victory over Massachusetts. Justin Allen delivered a breakout performance with 27 points on 53.8 percent shooting, while C.J. O’Hara added 21 points at a hyper-efficient clip. The Phoenix have demonstrated competitive stretches, particularly when their interior-attacking sets generate clean two-point attempts. Their 54.5 percent two-point accuracy reflects a roster capable of scoring effectively when execution is high.

Marcus Hall remains the offensive centerpoint at 16 points per game. His ability to create in the midrange and attack downhill helps Green Bay maintain scoring balance. The Phoenix rank inside the top 120 nationally in free-throw attempts per game, an indicator of effective aggression, though sustained scoring still fluctuates due to lower three-point volume and inconsistent spacing.

Defensively, Green Bay emphasizes containment and physicality over pace. Their half-court coverage relies on forcing contested jumpers and minimizing opponent runouts. However, the Phoenix have struggled against teams that stretch the floor with shooting or accelerate tempo. That matchup concern is central against an Iona team that thrives in early offense and shoots nearly 38 percent from three.

Green Bay’s rotation remains stable with no major injury concerns. The team’s ability to maintain composure in neutral-site environments remains a key evaluation point, particularly against opponents with significant offensive firepower.

Iona Gaels Outlook

Iona enters with confidence after a 91-84 road victory over Oregon State, showcasing the Gaels’ perimeter versatility and scoring efficiency. CJ Anthony led with 22 points, while Lamin Sabally provided interior balance with 12 points and eight rebounds. Iona’s ability to generate high-quality looks through motion actions and early-screen flow has given them consistent scoring reliability.

The Gaels average 86.2 points per game, ranking inside the top 100 nationally. Their 37.8 percent three-point rate, built around Anthony and Toby Harris, forces defenses to extend and opens spacing for straight-line drives and drop-off passes. Iona has also shown encouraging balance, with depth scoring improving and key contributors elevating their play in high-possession games.

Defensively, Iona aims to pressure early ball screens and force opponents into late-clock attempts. Their efficiency fluctuates due to pace, but when they defend without fouling and win the rebounding margin, their offensive output often becomes overwhelming for slower-paced teams.

Iona’s statistical consistency against the spread (4-2 overall, 2-1 as a favorite) reflects a roster capable of executing game plans effectively. Their neutral-site scoring profile remains solid, and their shot volume combined with accuracy gives them a strong edge in a matchup defined by offensive contrasts.

Key Matchup Table

Category	Advantage
Three-Point Shooting	Iona Gaels
Interior Efficiency	Green Bay Phoenix
Tempo Control	Iona Gaels
Bench Scoring	Iona Gaels

Betting Trends

Green Bay has shown competitiveness recently but remains inconsistent against the spread. Their slower pace often keeps games within reach early, yet they have struggled when forced into faster offensive rhythms. Their scoring volatility makes totals difficult to project, though their games often hinge on whether secondary scoring emerges beyond Allen and Hall.

Iona has been one of the stronger ATS performers among mid-majors early in the season. Their 4-2 ATS record reflects consistent offensive performance and reliable late-game execution. Their totals have leaned toward higher-scoring outcomes due to pace and perimeter efficiency. Bettors seeking broader context can explore NCAAB markets through the NCAAB scores and odds board and additional analysis via the college basketball picks page.

Head-to-head history is minimal, but stylistically this matchup favors Iona’s tempo. More team-level insight can be explored through the NCAAB team directory or broader season evaluation on the college basketball championship odds page.

The Lean

Iona’s tempo advantage, perimeter shooting, and scoring balance align with Green Bay’s defensive vulnerabilities. The Phoenix have shown growth in recent games but have struggled to maintain pace or produce scoring depth when facing high-efficiency offenses. Iona’s ability to generate rhythm early and extend possessions through spacing gives them a strong projection on a neutral floor.

Green Bay’s path lies in controlling pace, generating high-percentage two-point looks, and leveraging Hall’s scoring. If they can slow Iona’s transition output and limit threes, they can remain competitive into the second half. Otherwise, Iona’s shooting depth could create separation quickly. Additional analysis for games across this event can be found on the NCAAB previews page.

Projected Final Score: Iona Gaels 88, Green Bay Phoenix 72
Best Spread Pick: Iona Gaels -7.5
Total Lean: Under 154.5

Why You Need Expert Picks

College basketball handicapping requires evaluating pace variance, lineup stability, shot-quality indicators, and travel factors—all of which influence totals and spread outcomes. The Handicappers Leaderboard on the college basketball picks portal highlights the industry’s most accurate cappers, offering value in projections anchored to matchup-specific analytics.

For bettors seeking supplementary strategy angles, resources such as the NCAAB picks directory and the John Wooden Award odds page provide additional competitive evaluation. Expert projections help identify sharp-side signals, regression candidates, and line inefficiencies that shape value in tournament-neutral matchups like this one.