Offense meets defense when the Saint Mary’s Gaels (19-2, 8-0 WCC) welcome the BYU Cougars (17-4, 6-2 WCC) to McKeon Pavilion. The game gets underway at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 25, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 138 points with Saint Mary’s opening as an 8-point favorite.
BYU Cougars at Saint Mary’s Gaels Free Prediction
In the Cougars’ last matchup, they beat the San Diego Toreros, 74-58. The Cougars had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 8.5 (better than their season average of 16.3), while the Toreros had a free throw rate of 0.176 (below their season average of 0.281). With 24 points on 10-for-14 shooting, TJ Haws was the top scorer from either team.
The Gaels edged the Pacific Tigers in their last contest, 72-69. Saint Mary’s’ 0.360 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over Pacific, who had a rate of 0.327. The Gaels’ mark was above their season average of 0.246. Jock Landale was the top scorer from either team with 32 points on 12-for-20 shooting.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the productive offense of Saint Mary’s takes on the stingy defense of BYU. The Gaels rank third in offensive efficiency, while the Cougars are 43rd in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Cougars rank 312th in offensive rebounding percentage (23.8 percent), while the Gaels rank 20th in defensive rebounding percentage (76.3 percent).
BYU holds records of 17-4 straight up (SU) and 9-8-1 against the spread (ATS). Cougars games have typically gone under the O/U total (66.7 percent).
Meanwhile, Saint Mary’s is 19-2 SU and 8-9 ATS. Gaels games also tend to go under the O/U total (58.8 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Elijah Bryant (22.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals) has been fantastic for the Cougars while Landale (22.4 points, 12.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks) has made great contributions to the Gaels.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Landale scored a game-high 31 points in the first matchup, in which the Gaels beat the Cougars 74-64, covering as 1.5-point favorites. He also put up 13 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 138 points, which was just 4 points below the projected point total of 142 points. Saint Mary’s’ effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over BYU. The Gaels had a rate of 0.591 while the Cougars posted a mark of 0.449.
BYU Cougars vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Saint Mary’s, ATS Winner – BYU, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, BYU is 4-4 ATS with 8 unders and 0 overs.
At home, Saint Mary’s is 2-5 ATS with 5 unders, 1 over and 1 push.
Saint Mary’s ranks ninth in three pointers allowed per game (16.6) while BYU ranks 82nd (20.4).
The Gaels rank 23rd in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Cougars rank 72nd (5.8).
Saint Mary’s ranks 24th in assists per game (17.2) while BYU ranks 71st in assists allowed per game (12.1).
The Cougars rank 227th in rebounds per game (33.6) while the Gaels rank 236th (33.1).
BYU ranks 57th in blocks per game (4.2) while Saint Mary’s ranks 59th in blocks allowed per game (2.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, BYU is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Saint Mary’s is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Cougars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.8, up from 11.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Gaels have scored an average of 77.6 points per game (2.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.4 points per game (0.5 below their season average).
