BYU vs. Saint Mary’s Pick
Is No. 16 Saint Mary’s giving up too many points at home to BYU when the two teams meet up tonight at 11PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Saint Mary’s is the favorite at home in this game, as the Gaels are getting odds of -8.5 points against BYU. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 137.5 points. Tonight’s game will take place from McKeon Pavilion in Moraga, California and air live on ESPN2.
BYU comes into tonight’s game on a four-game win streak following a 74-58 win over San Diego this past weekend. The Cougars are 17-4 overall, 6-2 in the West Coast Conference and 10-8 against the spread. BYU is putting up 75.9 points per game this season while allowing 64.9 per game.
St. Mary’s has won 14 straight games and is coming off a four-game road trip where it went 3-1 against the spread. The Gaels are 19-2 on the season, 8-0 in the West Coast Conference and 8-8-1 against the spread. St. Mary’s is averaging 80.1 points per game on offense while allowing 65.9 per game on defense. Jock Landale has been the clear leader for the team, averaging 22.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Emmett Naar is adding 10.9 points and 9.1 assists per game.
St. Mary’s has won and covered in four straight meetings in this series. The Gaels are returning home after being on the road the last two weeks. That should provide an extra boost for a team that is red hot. BYU has a great defense, but I am not sure it will translate for them against the Gaels. St. Mary’s is locked in an ready to take the WCC throne from Gonzaga. The public betting is backing St. Mary’s tonight and I am inclined to agree with them.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: SAINT MARY’S -8.5