The No. 6 Villanova Wildcats (25-9) will be 4.5-point favorites in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at XL Center when they take on the No. 11 Saint Mary’s Gaels (22-11). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 130 points and it starts at 7:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 21, 2019.
Saint Mary’s Gaels vs. Villanova Wildcats Betting Odds
Both teams were victorious in their last game. The Wildcats edged the Seton Hall Pirates 74-72, while the Gaels beat the top-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs 60-47.
Saint Mary’s dominated every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 24.1 (below their season average of 31.3) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.490 (below their season average of 0.541). Gonzaga was 15.6 and 0.396, respectively, for those same stats. The Wildcats, on the other hand, made 19 of their 26 free throws (73.1 percent) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.519 vs. 0.457). Villanova was led by Saddiq Bey, who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Jordan Hunter played well for Saint Mary’s, putting up 12 points and 15 rebounds.
Gaels games have a slight tendency to finish under the total (54.5 percent). Saint Mary’s holds records of 22-11 straight up (SU) and 19-14 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas tends to set the total high when the Wildcats are involved, as 19 of their 33 games have ended under the total. Additionally, Villanova owns records of 25-9 SU and 20-14 ATS.
This battle figures to be a high-scoring affair as two of the NCAA’s best offenses go head-to-head. Villanova currently ranks 30th with 113.3 points per 100 possessions and Saint Mary’s is 25th (113.7).
Saint Mary’s Gaels vs. Villanova Wildcats Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Villanova, ATS Winner – Saint Mary’s, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Villanova ranks fourth in three pointers attempted per game (30.1) while Saint Mary’s ranks 261st (19.6).
- The Gaels rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (29.2) while the Wildcats rank 68th (32.9).
- Saint Mary’s is 20th in the nation with 5.0 steals allowed per game while Villanova is 45th with 5.4 steals allowed per game.
- The Wildcats rank 91st in assists per game (14.3) while the Gaels rank 280th (10.1).
- Villanova ranks 12th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while Saint Mary’s ranks 124th (3.4).
Bettings Trends:
- The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.8, down from 7.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Gaels have scored an average of 63.0 points per game (9.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 54.4 points per game (10.0 below their season average).
