Portland Pilots vs
St. MarysPredictions & Preview

Saint Mary's Gaels to Face Off Against Portland Pilots in WCC Matchup with Saint Mary's as Heavy Favorites

The Portland Pilots are set to take on the Saint Mary's Gaels in a West Coast Conference matchup on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, California. This game features a struggling Portland team facing off against a dominant Saint Mary's squad that is close to securing their second consecutive WCC regular season title. With Saint Mary's currently on a three-game winning streak and Portland coming off of two consecutive victories, this game presents an interesting matchup despite the large spread. Saint Mary's has won the last 13 head-to-head matchups between the two teams, and they are the betting favorite with a -25.5 opening line that has not moved.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pilots +3150 | -15000
• Spread: Pilots +25.5 (-110) | -25.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 138.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that St. Marys will win straight-up is 99%.

Portland vs St. Marys Stats

Portland Pilots

The Portland Pilots, with a 10-17 overall record and 5-9 conference record, are currently ranked 8th in the WCC standings. Despite their struggles this season, they are coming off an impressive win against Oregon State and have won three of their last four games. The Pilots have shown strength in distributing the ball, with an average of 15.3 assists per game. Leading scorer Max Mackinnon is shooting well from both the free throw line and three-point range. However, they have a history of poor performance against Saint Mary's. In terms of statistics, Portland ranks 241st in offense and 352nd in defense, allowing an average of 81 points per game. They shoot well from the free throw line but struggle with three-point defense. The Pilots will need to improve defensively if they hope to continue their recent success.

St. Marys Analysis

The Saint Mary's Gaels have been performing exceptionally well this season, with a 23-4 overall record and a 13-1 conference record, placing them at the top of the WCC standings. They are currently on a three-game winning streak and have the opportunity to secure their second straight outright WCC regular season title with two wins this week. The Gaels have been particularly strong defensively, allowing only 60.5 points per game, and have been dominant at home with a 14-1 record at the University Credit Union Pavilion. Offensively, they average 74.7 points per game, shooting 46.1% from the field and 33% from three-point range. Key players include Augustas Marciulionis, Paulius Murauskas, and Mitchell Saven. According to Joe Lunardi's ESPN Bracketology, Saint Mary's is currently projected as a No. 7 seed, with notable victories over teams such as Nebraska, USC, Utah, and Gonzaga. Their power ranking is 33, with a strong defensive ranking of 4 and an offensive ranking of 165.

Saint Mary's Favored but Portland Provides Intriguing Betting Option for Upcoming Game

Saint Mary's has a strong record at home and historically performs well against Portland; however, recent performances by Portland indicate they are playing at a higher level. Despite Saint Mary's superiority as a team, the upcoming road game against Gonzaga may result in them easing up once they have a comfortable lead. While I predict Saint Mary's will emerge victorious, it is unlikely they will win by more than 26 points. Considering these factors, taking a chance on Portland may be a viable option for this matchup.

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