The Saint Louis Billikens (10-17) will travel to Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena to compete against the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (23-5) in their home finale. The game starts at 1:00 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 28.
The Hawks defeated Massachusetts 74-57 on Wednesday. DeAndre’ Bembry played well, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, and four assists for the Hawks. The Billikens, meanwhile, are coming off a tough 52-49 loss to Dayton on Tuesday. Ash Yacoubou had a good game for Saint Louis, accounting for 12 points, six rebounds, and one steal.
Isaiah Miles has really been playing well recently for the Hawks, averaging 20.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.6 blocks, and 2.6 three-pointers over the last five games.
The Hawks enter the game with records of 23-5 Straight Up (SU) and 19-8 Against The Spread (ATS). Saint Joseph’s has averaged 65.7 points per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 76.6. The Hawks, sporting the 19th-best assist-to-turnover ratio in Division I (1.48), have proven themselves to be an extremely efficient offensive team. The Hawks have really locked down opponents on the defensive end, ranking 33rd in the country with a .401 opponent field-goal percentage. The Hawks do a great job keeping their opponents off of the glass and limiting second-chance points. They average 28.8 defensive rebounds per game, which ranks 16th in Division I.
In the other locker room, the Billikens have 10-17 SU and 9-15 ATS records. Saint Louis performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 7-3 record. During the last 10 games, they averaged 78.4 PPG, above their 65.2 PPG season average.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time these conference rivals played, Saint Louis won, moving its SU record against Saint Joseph’s to 9-1 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. The Billikens also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 9-1. Saint Louis held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice in the last five game, while Saint Joseph’s wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – StJoes, ATS Winner – StJoes
Notes
Saint Joseph’s averages 76.6 points per game (ranked 86th). Saint Louis, on the other hand, allows 71.3 points per game (ranked 140th).
Saint Louis lost its last game by a three-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, Saint Joseph’s is 4-1. Saint Louis is 2-2 in close games this season.
The Saint Joseph’s Hawks have a defensive rating of 97.5 (ranked 39th), while the Saint Louis Billikens have an offensive rating of 94.0 (ranked 332nd).
The Saint Louis Billikens average a field goal percentage of 41.6% this season. The Saint Joseph’s Hawks have a solid 7-3 record in games where opponents have a FG% of 41.6% or greater.
The Saint Joseph’s Hawks and the Saint Louis Billikens both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Saint Joseph’s is 146th and 141st in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Saint Louis ranks 297th and 288th in these categories.
Saint Joseph’s ranks 78th in assists, registering 15.0 per game. Saint Louis performs worse at 170th with 13.5 assists per game.
Saint Joseph’s, the 53rd-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 39.1 rebounds per game. Saint Louis does worse, ranked 312th with 32.9.
The Saint Louis Billikens make an average of 5.6 steals per game. When the Saint Joseph’s Hawks give up 5 or more steals, they are a solid 10-5.
