Friday's Best Bet: Iona -5.5

[superbook]

I agree with the New Ace (Buddy) that Iona is the play here.

This is the second half of a home and home -- Niagara won in Buffalo last Sunday by ten.

The difference here will be home cookin' and maybe the presence of Steve Smith.

In Sunday's game, Iona's big men, 6-9 forward Courtney Fields, and 6-7 starting forward Kiril Wachsmann got into early foul trouble.

The game was close until they went out and then Niagara pulled away.

Without them, Iona was no match for Niagara inside. The Purple Eagles shot 46.9 percent for the game, and 12 of their 16 second-half field goals were layups or short jumpers. Their 42-29 rebounding advantage included 17 offensive boards.

Smith had been playing great until he dislocated his pinky in the game at Canisius a week ago. He sat out the game at Niagara and is questionable for tonite. Smith ranks #7 in FG% at 63%.

The line at -5.5 assumes Smith won't go; if he does then that's an added bonus for Iona backers.

The home team has won 9 of L10 between these two and 8 of those 9 home wins were by more than 5.5 points.

gl

- Jon

 

[RAYMOND]

do you like brown tonight

 

[superbook]

Ray --

IMO Brown is the best play in the Ivy.

Similar home stats as Niagara/Iona: the home team has won 9 of L10 between Brown/Harvard, all nine of those wins were by more than 5.5.

Brown is playing real well right now and has a real good 9 man rotation. Their improved play of late is due to Hunt getting healthy and the leadership of Forte (brother of the NBA Forte).

Brown doesn't turn the ball over much and can score.

Harvard was only down by one at Princeton in the final seconds last week but IMO Princeton is overrated.

In terms of the other Ivy games I think this will be the week of the dog.

A lot of people went 6-1 or whatever last week in the Ivy picking the favs.

I'm taking Cornell, Columbia and Dartmouth tonite and I'll bet 2 of the 3 cover.

- Jon

 

[Cabo]

With ya on Iona, GL..Cabo...

 

[bohawk]

Following "You Beasts on the East".Thanks for the good info &
GL.

 

[superbook]

ndlarry --

Re: Dartmouth

No way anyone can argue with Ace's 12-0 run. I've played the last six or so blindly myself.

I posted Dartmouth earlier, personally I'm waiting to get as many points as I can. I see the line is now 16.5...maybe it'll go to 17??

Box --

Brown and Iona are my big plays tonite. I have a feeling that Smith will play. But he could be wearing a cast so you can't count on his shooting touch. I think that the Ivy dogs including Columbia bark tonite. I agree with you that Columbia is just terrible, but I also think Princeton w/o Logan is not that great this year either. They barely got by Dartmouth and Harvard at home last weekend. They might be tested at Cornell. Columbia got to 58 last Saturday night, I think if they can hit 58 again tonite that they'll cover.

FWIW Columbia is at 116th Street; I live 20 blocks south on 96th Street.

Lots of snow here probably more up there, will keep attendence at these games down. Means Columbia will get 20 not usual 25. And 15 will be Princeton alums.

 

[Kdogg21]

Can't go wrong on that IONA pick. like them preety good too

Harvard though seems to have a good rebounding, well better than Browns, needless to say. You think giving the Big Red that many points is to much. Everybody is out to get the first place team, and to me this might be a better game they have played before. But than I see that this is Harvard's 4 game on the road in a row. This game will feature the top 2 scorers in their league.

Might turn out to be a good game.

Good luck and thanks SB

 

[superbook]

Kdogg --

Brown will probably get outrebounded, but they don't turn the ball over much so that should even things out.

FWIW:
Brown = Bruins
Cornell = Big Red
Clifford = Big Red Dog (you can tell I have young kids)

 

[Box and one]

Superbook,Your right about 116th street.I get off at the west side drive[Henry Hudson] at 125th and go down to Columbia.I took 2 graduate courses there a while back.Been to there gym several times.I just always think 125th Street and Columbia.
In college at North Texas we had an intramural team we called "the 125 st gang".Lost to Paul Graham the coach of Wash St and Beesely Reece of NBC in the finals.Paul was a track star and never played b-ball at NT.Reece played for the Cowboys and Giants in football.
Not sure about Iona and Niagara.Smith is the key. Iona is 1-6 ats at home.Still a lean to the Purple.
Columbia has covered in this series the past 4 or 5 yrs.And Tigers are horrendous on the road.
Did you read that article in the post or news last week about Hill and his team.It's mutiny in the Ivy.They hate him.His players are revolting,some quit or didn't come back.
Will be back later.

 

[caper]

isn't that the "A" train? ...gl, caper/duke (man, i think i just used a smilie)

 

[Kdogg21]

Thanks Superbook,

Probably staying away from it. I'm not sure who to take. I do like iona though, and thanks for the info

good lucks boys

 

[Kdogg21]

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

screw it im taking brown

thanks and good luck

:shrug:

 

[superbook]

Lines on the Ivy dogs I played:

Dartmouth +16.5
Cornell +17

Middle:

Princeton -12.5
Columbia +14.5 (-120)

 

[redking]

Thanks for Iona, Superbook. You may not get as many views as Ace, but you're a damn good capper!

Thanx for the Ivy plays too. I cherry picked them to get some hits. Your work is appreciated.

PS. Great job with the inside info!

:hail

 

[Nole]

Yes, the inside info was sweet. I haven't looked at any stats. Did the Smith kid get it done?

nole

 

[superbook]

Smith: 5-9 from the field for 14 points with 5 boards and two blocks in 30 minutes