Saint Mary’s Gaels at San Francisco Dons Free Prediction 01/02/20

Posts AdminArticles, Basketball, College Basketball

It figures to be a high-scoring affair as the Saint Mary’s Gaels (13-2) travel to San Francisco to play the Dons (11-4). The game starts at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 2, 2020, and will air on ESPNU.

Saint Mary’s Gaels at San Francisco Dons Betting Odds

In their last outing, the Dons lost a winnable game to the Harvard Crimson, 84-81, while the Gaels easily got past the Seattle Redhawks, 84-58.

Saint Mary’s dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.7 (below their season average of 27.3) and a turnover percentage of 9.6 (better than their season average of 13.8). For those same stats, Seattle was 12.5 and 15.6, respectively. San Francisco, meanwhile, did a terrific job of making free throws (14-19; 73.7 percent). San Francisco was led by Charles Minlend, who had 19 points and five rebounds. Alex Ducas played well for Saint Mary’s, recording 16 points and eight rebounds.

This was a highly competitive series last year. Each won one of the two games played against each other last season. In the last contest, the Gaels won 86-80. Saint Mary’s’ 0.148 free throw rate was their biggest strength over San Francisco, who had a rate of 0.063. This is the first time these teams will meet this year.

This battle figures to be a shootout as a pair of the NCAA’s premier offenses square off. San Francisco ranks 22nd with 113.4 points per 100 possessions and Saint Mary’s is second (120.3).

Saint Mary’s Gaels at San Francisco Dons Odds Pick

Prediction: SU Winner – Saint Mary’s, ATS Winner – Saint Mary’s, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • San Francisco ranks 12th in three pointers attempted per game (28.9) while Saint Mary’s ranks 176th (20.9).
  • The Gaels lead the NCAA with 3.7 steals allowed per game while the Dons are 36th with 5.5 steals allowed per game.
  • Saint Mary’s is 10th in the nation with 9.0 assists allowed per game while San Francisco is 21st with 9.7 assists allowed per game.
  • The Dons rank 95th in rebounds per game (37.3) while the Gaels rank 236th (32.8).
  • Saint Mary’s ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while San Francisco ranks 80th (3.2).

Bettings Trends:

  • During their last five games, the Gaels have scored an average of 81.0 points per game (3.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 66.4 points per game (4.1 above their season average).
  • The Dons’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.4, down from 10.5 for the season.