The George Washington Colonials (13-15, 6-9 A10) and the Saint Louis Billikens (15-13, 8-7 A10), who both like to play slow, will face off at Chaifetz Arena. Saint Louis opened as a 5.5-point favorite, while the games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 128.5 points. Action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
George Washington Colonials at Saint Louis Billikens Odds Preview
In the Colonials last matchup, they won big over the Richmond Spiders, 103-77. With 16 points and 10 rebounds, Arnaldo Toro had a solid game for George Washington. The Colonials held the Spiders to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below the 30.8 mark opponents have averaged against George Washington this season) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.770 (above their season average of 0.483).
The Billikens are trying to rebound after their 53-50 loss to the Dayton Flyers in their last game. Hasahn French was the top scorer from either team with 20 points on 10-for-15 shooting. Dayton had a better free throw rate (0.152 vs. 0.083). Saint Louis, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (17.4 vs. 19.0).
Half-court execution will be at a premium when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams face off. Saint Louis ranks 336th in possessions per game (65.0) and George Washington is 327th (65.9). ,
Of George Washington’s 24 games that accepted bets, 13 have finished over the projected point total, while 13 of Saint Louis 25 games have finished under the projected point total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Billikens have a significant advantage. They are 15-13 SU and 16-9 ATS, while the Colonials are 13-15 SU and 10-14 ATS.
Yuta Watanabe has taken his game to another level over the last five games for George Washington, averaging 20.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Colonials won both meetings played against each other last season. In the most recent game, George Washington won 53-46. The Colonials dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.5 and a free throw rate of 0.121. The Billikens were 23.4 and 0.102, respectively, for those same stats.
George Washington Colonials vs. Saint Louis Billikens Betting Prediction
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Saint Louis, ATS Winner – Saint Louis, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Colonials are 25th in the nation with 18.9 three pointers allowed per game while the Billikens are 46th with 19.6 three pointers allowed per game.
- George Washington is 3-9 ATS on the road with 7 unders and 5 overs.
- Saint Louis is 9-4 ATS at home with 7 overs and 6 unders.
- Saint Louis ranks 87th in rebounds per game (36.8) while George Washington ranks 239th (33.4).
- The Billikens rank 49th in steals allowed per game (5.5) while the Colonials rank 131st (6.5).
- George Washington ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (2.4) while Saint Louis ranks 95th (3.3).
Betting Trends:
- Saint Louis is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, George Washington is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Billikens average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.2, up from 1.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Colonials have scored an average of 82.2 points per game (15.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 69.2 points per game (1.2 below their season average).
