St. Marys vs
Washington St. CougarsPredictions & Preview

Saint Mary's Favored to Win in West Coast Conference Showdown Against Washington State - Can the Cougars Defy the Odds Once Again?

Get ready for an exciting college basketball matchup as Saint Mary's takes on Washington State in a West Coast Conference showdown at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA. This game marks the first meeting between the two teams since 2017, when Washington State pulled off a surprising victory over Saint Mary's. The Gaels are currently favored to win, opening at -6, with the line remaining steady. Will the Cougars defy the odds once again? Stay tuned for our prediction and check out more NCAAB picks for Saturday's games.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: -254 | Cougars +205
• Spread: -6 (-110) | Cougars +6 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 141 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that St. Marys will win straight-up is 72%.

St. Marys vs Washington St. Stats

St. Marys

The Saint Mary's Gaels have had a strong start to the season in WCC play, remaining undefeated at 7-0. Their recent victory over San Francisco showcased their dominant performance on both ends of the court, with standout players like Paulius Murauskas and Mitchell Saxen leading the way. The team ranks highly in offensive and defensive efficiency, as well as in the NCAA NET Rankings at No. 25. In terms of statistics, the Gaels excel in rebounding and assists, while also maintaining solid shooting percentages. Defensively, they have been effective at limiting opponents' field goal and three-point shooting percentages. Overall, Saint Mary's has shown themselves to be a formidable contender in college basketball this season.

Washington St. Cougars Analysis

The Washington State Cougars recently suffered a 93-65 road defeat at Santa Clara, dropping their conference record to 5-3. Despite a strong performance from sophomore forward LeJuan Watts, who recorded a triple-double with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, the Cougars struggled with turnovers and were outscored in the paint. Overall, the Cougars are ranked 86th in the NCAA NET Rankings and have a power ranking of 154. Offensively, they are ranked 52nd nationally, scoring an average of 80.76 points per game while shooting efficiently from the field and three-point range. Defensively, the Cougars give up an average of 75.76 points per game and have room for improvement in defending the three-pointer. Additionally, the team averages a solid number of assists but needs to reduce turnovers.

Saint Mary's Dominant Defense and Offense Could Pose Problems for Washington State

I am hesitant to favor the Gaels until there is evidence of a decrease in their performance. Their recent defensive success, exemplified by holding San Francisco to only 51 points, has been notable during conference play. Saint Mary’s currently leads the WCC in numerous defensive categories, including opposing 2-point and 3-point percentages, as well as points allowed per game. Furthermore, their offensive capabilities have been robust, scoring an average of 78.7 points per game in conference play. In contrast, Washington State faces challenges in terms of turnovers despite their strong 3-point shooting. If the Cougars continue to struggle with turnovers, they may struggle against the Gaels, who have excelled in their last six and ten games overall, both home and away.

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