A low-scoring game should be expected when the San Francisco Dons (9-6, 1-1 WCC) and the BYU Cougars (12-3, 1-1 WCC) square off at War Memorial Gymnasium. The game will air on ESPN Full Court at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
BYU opened as a 2-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 133.5 points.
BYU Cougars at San Francisco Dons Free Prediction
The last time the Cougars played, they were beaten by the Saint Mary’s Gaels, 74-64. Saint Mary’s’ 0.591 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over BYU, who had a mark of 0.449. The Gaels’ mark was below their season average of 0.592, while the Cougars’ was below their season average of 0.548. Yoeli Childs was BYU’s high scorer with 29 points on 11-for-23 shooting.
The Dons dismantled the Portland Pilots in their last game, 84-61. San Francisco out-rebounded Portland. The Dons had 16 offensive rebounds and 51 total rebounds, while the Pilots had two and 23, respectively. Souley Boum was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 8-for-11 shooting.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams square off. San Francisco ranks 267th in possessions per game (68.6) and BYU is 269th (68.5). Moreover, the Cougars, who rank 289th in offensive rebounding percentage (25.2 percent), will clash against the Dons, who rank 33rd in defensive rebounding percentage (75.8 percent).
BYU has a phenomenal 12-3 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 5-7 against the spread (ATS). Of the Cougars’ 12 games that accepted bets, eight have finished under the projected point total.
San Francisco is 9-6 SU, but they have a difficult time covering the spread (4-7 ATS). In opposition of BYU, just over half of Dons games have finished over the total.
After the Cougars won both matchups against the Dons last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the most recent matchup, BYU won 68-52. BYU had a much better free throw rate (0.308 vs. 0.055). San Francisco, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (12.5 vs. 20.4).
BYU Cougars vs. San Francisco Dons Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – BYU, ATS Winner – BYU, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, BYU is 2-3 ATS with 5 unders and 0 overs.
San Francisco is 2-3 ATS at home with 4 overs and 1 under.
San Francisco ranks 34th in three pointers attempted per game (26.7) while BYU ranks 228th (18.9).
The Cougars rank 33rd in rebounds allowed per game (31.5) while the Dons rank 124th (34.6).
San Francisco ranks fourth in assists allowed per game (9.0) while BYU ranks 79th (12.2).
The Cougars average 4.3 blocks per game, which ranks 65th in the NCAA. The Dons rank 116th in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, BYU is 2-2 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over.
San Francisco is 2-2 ATS with 2 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Cougars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.2, up from 9.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Dons have scored an average of 66.0 points per game (3.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 61.2 points per game (5.2 below their season average).
