Grand Canyon vs. Saint Mary’s Picks and Predictions – Friday, Mar. 22

Mar 21, 2024; Spokane, WA, USA; St. Mary's Gaels guard Aidan Mahaney (20) during practice at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena.
Image Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

We have your Grand Canyon Antelopes vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Grand Canyon Antelopes hit the road to face the Saint Mary’s Gaels.

The Saint Mary’s Gaels (26-7) are set to face off against the Grand Canyon Antelopes (29-4) in a highly anticipated matchup. With both teams boasting impressive records, this game is expected to be a showcase of tactical prowess and basketball skill.

Grand Canyon Antelopes vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Odds Info

Moneyline: Grand Canyon Antelopes +195 (BetPARX) / Saint Mary’s Gaels -245 (BetPARX)

Spread: -5.5 – Grand Canyon Antelopes -110 (BetPARX) / Saint Mary’s Gaels -105 (Barstool)

Total: 131.5 – -108 (BetPARX) / -110 (Barstool)

Game Info

Date: Friday, Mar. 22

Time: 09:05 PM

Location: Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena – None, None

TV: truTV

Grand Canyon Antelopes Betting Trends

  • On the road, Grand Canyon Antelopes are 8 and 3 this season.
  • Against the spread this season, Grand Canyon Antelopes are 18 and 14.
  • Against the spread on the road, Grand Canyon Antelopes are 7 and 5.

Saint Mary’s Gaels Betting Trends

  • At home, Saint Mary’s Gaels are 14 and 4 this season.
  • Against the spread this season, Saint Mary’s Gaels are 18 and 14.
  • Against the spread at home, Saint Mary’s Gaels are 11 and 11.

Grand Canyon Antelopes vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Predictions

The Saint Mary’s Gaels enter the game with a solid win percentage of 0.788, having won 26 games this season. They are on a 2-game winning streak and have shown remarkable consistency, especially in conference play where they have a 15-1 record. The Gaels are known for their stifling defense, ranking 2nd nationally in points allowed at just 58.7 per game. Offensively, they are led by sharpshooter Aidan Mahaney, who averages 13.9 points per game, and they rank 33rd in adjusted offensive efficiency. Saint Mary’s will look to leverage their elite defense and disciplined offense to control the game against Grand Canyon.

On the other side, the Grand Canyon Antelopes come into the game with an even more impressive win percentage of 0.879, having secured 29 victories this season. They boast a high-octane offense that averages 79.8 points per game and a defense that ranks 9th nationally in efficiency. The Antelopes have been dominant at home with a perfect record, but they will be tested against the Gaels’ defense. Grand Canyon’s success has been driven by their star player Tyon Grant-Foster, who leads the team with 19.8 points per game. The Antelopes will need to find ways to penetrate Saint Mary’s defense, which could come down to their ability to hit shots from beyond the arc.

This game is not just a clash of two teams with excellent records but also a battle between two of the country’s top defenses. Both teams are in the top 10 in 2-point field goal percentage defense, which means the game could be decided in the paint. The key matchup to watch will be how Grand Canyon’s frontcourt contends with the size and physicality of Saint Mary’s inside. With both teams excelling at slowing down the pace and grinding out possessions, fans can expect a tactical battle with defenses likely to shine. The outcome may hinge on which team can find that extra bit of offensive creativity and efficiency in what promises to be a tightly contested game.

Grand Canyon Antelopes vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Pick

Given the defensive prowess of both Saint Mary’s Gaels and Grand Canyon Antelopes, the under is the most compelling pick for this matchup. The Gaels have consistently demonstrated their ability to shut down opponents, ranking 2nd nationally in points allowed, and they are facing an Antelopes team that also excels defensively, ranking 9th in efficiency. The game is expected to be a defensive battle, with both teams among the top 10 in 2-point field goal percentage defense, suggesting that scoring in the paint will be challenging. Additionally, the Gaels’ methodical pace and possession-milking style, combined with the Antelopes’ need to contend with Saint Mary’s size inside, will likely result in a game with limited transition opportunities and a slower pace, further supporting the under pick. Historically, head-to-head matchups that feature such strong defensive teams often result in lower-scoring games, and this game is set to follow that trend. While Grand Canyon has a high season average in points scored, their performance against top-tier defenses has not been tested as rigorously as it will be against the Gaels. Moreover, the pressure of the NCAA Tournament often leads to tighter play and increased defensive intensity. With both teams likely to focus on controlling the tempo and maximizing defensive efforts, the under is a justified pick for a game where every possession will be hard-fought and points will be at a premium.

The Pick: Under 131.5 -108 (BetPARX)