The Atlantic 10’s top team will be at home when the Dayton Flyers (16-3) welcome the Saint Louis Billikens (8-11) to University of Dayton Arena. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
The Flyers enter this game hoping for similar success after topping Fordham 64-50 on Sunday. Charles Cooke was the game’s leading scorer with 26 points on 9-for-12 shooting. The Billikens, meanwhile, are coming off an 86-75 win against Massachusetts on Saturday. Marcus Bartley led the team in scoring by registering 17 points on 5-for-7 shooting.
Cooke and Dyshawn Pierre have been better than usual over the last five games for the Flyers. During that stretch, Cooke has averaged 20.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 3.5 three-pointers, while Pierre has recorded 17.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.6 three-pointers a game.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Dayton, a big 18-point favorite, takes on Saint Louis. The Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at 137 points for this matchup. The Flyers have gone 16-3 Straight Up (SU) and 10-8 Against The Spread (ATS). Opposing teams know they’re in for a battle when they play Dayton’s stingy defense. The Flyers are one of the top teams when it comes to defense, allowing just 65.9 points per game.
As for their opponent, the Billikens have 8-11 SU and 4-11 ATS records. Saint Louis has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record.
These conference foes will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Dayton came out on top, bringing the head-to-head record to an even 5-5 SU over their most recent meetings. They are also even ATS in their most recent games (5-5). Saint Louis held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers two times, while Dayton was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Dayton, ATS Winner – Dayton, O/U – Over
Notes
Dayton is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games.
Dayton is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dayton’s last 6 games when playing Saint Louis.
Dayton is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Saint Louis.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dayton’s last 6 games when playing at home against Saint Louis.
Saint Louis scores an average of just 67.6 points per game (ranked 296th). Dayton ranks 49th in points allowed, giving up 65.9 points per game.
The Saint Louis Billikens average 68.7 possessions per game and .984 points per possession. The Dayton Flyers earn fewer possessions with 68.3, but they score more points with 1.085.
The Saint Louis Billikens average an effective field goal percentage of 48.6% this season. The Dayton Flyers have a formidable 8-2 record in games where opponents have an eFG% of 48.6% or greater.
On average, Dayton attempts 20.0 three pointers and Saint Louis attempts 17.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Dayton Flyers have a stellar 12-1 record while the Saint Louis Billikens are even at 3-3.
Dayton, the 71st-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 4.5 per game. Saint Louis does worse, ranked 319th with 2.1.
The Saint Louis Billikens make an average of 5.2 steals per game. When the Dayton Flyers give up 5 or more steals, they are an exceptional 7-2.
