The No. 20 Saint Mary’s Gaels (28-4, 17-2 WCC) go head-to-head against the BYU Cougars (23-9, 12-7 WCC) in the West Coast Conference Tourney at Orleans Arena. The game starts at 11:30 p.m. ET on Monday, March 5, 2018, and will air on ESPN2.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 136.5 points with Saint Mary’s opening as a 4.5-point favorite.
BYU Cougars vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Betting Prediction
The Cougars come in on a high note after beating the San Diego Toreros in their last contest, 85-79. BYU had a turnover percentage of 6.7 (better than their season average of 16.1). San Diego, on the other hand, did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (25-32; 78.1 percent). Yoeli Childs led the way for BYU, putting up 22 points and eight rebounds.
In the Gaels’ last matchup, they barely escaped the Pepperdine Waves, 69-66. Saint Mary’s’ free throw rate was their biggest strength over Pepperdine. The Gaels had a rate of 0.304 (above their season average of 0.243), while the Waves posted a mark of 0.197 (below their season average of 0.249). With 17 points and 19 rebounds, Jock Landale played well for Saint Mary’s.
This battle pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Saint Mary’s currently ranks third in offensive efficiency and BYU is 54th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Cougars, who rank 324th in offensive rebounding percentage (23.0 percent), will clash against the Gaels, who rank 12th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.2 percent).
BYU comes into the contest with records of 23-9 straight up (SU) and 14-14-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Cougars’ 29 games with betting action, 15 have finished under the total.
Saint Mary’s is 28-4 SU, but they are just 12-16 ATS. Of the Gaels’ 28 games that accepted bets, 20 have finished under the total.
The Gaels have emerged victorious in both games against the Cougars this year, including a 75-62 victory in their last matchup. Saint Mary’s covered as a 9-point favorite and the game finished with a total of 137 points, which was just 0.5 points below the projected point total of 137.5 points. Saint Mary’s’ 0.620 effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over BYU, who had a rate of 0.491. Landale recorded a double-double with 32 points and 14 rebounds.
BYU Cougars vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Odds Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Saint Mary’s, ATS Winner – BYU, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
BYU ranks 119th in steals per game (6.3) while Saint Mary’s ranks 240th (4.4).
The Gaels rank 10th in three pointers allowed per game (16.9) while the Cougars rank 117th (21.1).
Saint Mary’s ranks 46th in assists per game (15.8) while BYU ranks 110th in assists allowed per game (12.8).
The Gaels rank 212th in rebounds per game (33.7) while the Cougars rank 239th (32.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, BYU is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Saint Mary’s is 1-4 ATS with 5 unders over their last five games.
The Cougars have been outscored by an average of 0.8 points in their last five games. For the season, BYU has defeated opponents by an average of 7.4 points.
During their last five games, the Gaels have scored an average of 69.4 points per game (7.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 59.6 points per game (4.2 below their season average).
