Brigham Young Cougars vs Saint Mary’s Gaels 3/6/23 – On Monday evening, Brigham Young Cougars and Saint Mary’s Gaels will square off in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament at Orleans Arena. On Saturday, BYU defeated Loyola Marymount 43-20. The Cougars have gone 3-2 straight-up in their past five games. Saint Mary’s fell to Gonzaga in its regular-season finale. The Gaels have gone 4-1 straight up over their past five games. Saint Mary’s has defeated BYU twice this season: 57-56 in Provo on January 28 and 71-65 at home on February 18. The Gaels now lead the all-time series 19-18. The Saint Mary’s Gaels will be winning this game as predicted by the NCAAB betting forum.
Brigham Young Cougars vs Saint Mary’s Gaels
Date & Time: Monday, March 6, 2023 at 9:00 PM ET
Location: Orleans Arena
Brigham Young Cougars vs Saint Mary’s Gaels Betting Odds
Brigham Young
Moneyline: +250
Spread: +6.5 (-110)
Total: 131.5 over (-110)
Saint Mary’s
Moneyline: -300
Spread: -6.5 (-110)
Total: 131.5 under (-110)
Brigham Young Cougars vs Saint Mary’s Gaels Analysis
Brigham Young University held off Loyola Marymount by ten points in the WCC tournament quarterfinals, taking down number four seed Loyola Marymount 38-27 at halftime and holding off in the second half. Brigham Young shot 52.4 percent from the floor and converted 21 of 26 free-throw attempts (80.8%). BYU averages 75.6 points per game (93rd), shoots 45.3 percent from the floor (151st) and has a 33.8 shooting percentage from long range (207th). It converts 71.7 percent of its free throw attempts (181st), averages 33.7 rebounds with a +5.8 rebound margin and ranks 123rd in KenPom’s schedule-adjusted offensive efficiency and 153rd in effective field goal percentage (51.2%). BYU allows 69.9 points per game on defense (181st), with 34.2 percent shooting from three-point range (211th). The BYU Cougars ranked 38th in adjusted defensive efficiency, 213th in assist-per-turnover ratio, and 47th in adjusted tempo.
Saint Mary’s Gaels finished the regular season as co-West Coast champions. The Gaels split their two meetings with Gonzaga, winning 78-70 at home on February 4 and losing 77-68 in the season finale split decision. Saint Mary’s averages 71.9 points per game (175th), shooting 46.1 percent from the field (88th), including 37.2% from three-point range (38th). They shoot 69.6 percent overall (254th) and average 33.0 rebounds with a +7.1 margin of rebounding per game. SMU ranks 37th in schedule-adjusted offensive efficiency and 67th in effective field goal percentage (52.8%). Saint Mary’s allows 59.3 points per game on defense (6th), while opponents shoot 40.7 percent from the floor (29th), including 32.0 percent from three-point distance (73rd). As a result, Saint Mary’s ranks 5th in adjusted defensive efficiency, 73rd in assist-per-turnover ratio, and 359th in adjusted pace.
Brigham Young Cougars vs Saint Mary’s Gaels Against the Spread
BYU are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games. BYU are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games against Saint Mary’s-California. BYU are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the West Coast conference. BYU are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games played in March. BYU are 14-6 SU in their last 20 games played on a Monday. The total has gone UNDER in 4 of BYU’s last 6 games played on a Monday when on the road.
Saint Mary’s-California are 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games. The total has gone OVER in 5 of Saint Mary’s-California’s last 7 games. Saint Mary’s-California are 16-2 SU in their last 18 games. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Saint Mary’s-California’s last 7 games against BYU. Saint Mary’s-California are 14-2 SU in their last 16 games against an opponent in the West Coast conference.
Brigham Young Cougars vs Saint Mary’s Gaels Free Pick
As NCAAB betting spread favorites, Saint Mary’s will win straight-up and cover, forcing BYU into too many turnovers to gain any advantage on the scoreboard. Saint Mary’s slow-tempo approach puts pressure on BYU to maximize their offensive opportunities; additionally, their +7.1 rebounding margin means they cannot rely solely on offensive rebounds for victory.
Free Pick: Saint Mary’s Gaels -6.5 (-110)
