UMass vs Saint Joseph’s Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/31/24

In this article, we will formulate a UMass vs Saint Joseph’s Prediction for this college basketball game on Tuesday, December 31st, at the Hagan Arena. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

-The Minutemen’s recent form and recent player performance 

-The Hawks’ recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving UMass

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Saint Joseph’s

-Recent betting trends in games played between UMass and Saint Joseph’s.

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Minutemen and Hawks. 

UMass Defense Let Them Down

UMass has had its issues this season, and it is coming off with another loss. The hope though is that this little layoff will be good for them and they will get back on the right track. UMass faced off against the Arizona State Sun Devils and they scored only 62 points while the defense gave up 78 points. Rashool Diggins did have a strong game putting up 24 points, two rebounds, and one assist. The next-highest scorer had only nine points, and they are going to need a more balanced attack. Two games ago against Northeastern, UMass scored 77 points, but they still gave up 72 points. 

UMass on the season is averaging 74.4 points while their defense is giving up 74.8 points per game. The offense is ranked 217th in the league while the defense is ranked 271st. The offense is ranked 217th while the defense is ranked 271st. Jaylen Curry is averaging 13.3 points while shooting 37.7 percent from the field. One good news for UMass is they are healthy and they aren’t dealing with any injuries heading into this game. 

Saint Joseph’s Look for Fourth Straight Win 

Saint Joseph’s has a ton of confidence right now and they have won three games in a row. Saint Joseph’s in the last game faced off against Delaware State and they were able to secure a 76-58 victory. The last game came against a Virginia Tech team that is having a down year, but they were still able to come away with the dominant victory. Saint Joseph’s scored 82 points, while the defense gave up only 62 points on the way to the victory. Saint Joseph’s shot 46.6 percent from the field and 46.9 percent from behind the three-point line. Erik Reynolds II put up 25 points, three assists, and one rebound. There were four different players that put up at least 13 points. 

Saint Joseph’s is averaging 76.4 points while their defense is giving up 67.6 points per game. The offense is ranked 169th in the league while the defense is ranked 97th. They like to get the shots up from deep and are averaging 26.6 shots from deep which is 68th in college basketball. Saint Joseph’s is dealing with some key injuries heading into this game. Xzavier Brown is dealing with a hamstring injury and is questionable for this game. Khaafiq Myers is dealing with a knee injury and he’s also questionable heading into this game. Steven Solano is dealing with an illness and is questionable also. Erik Reynolds II is averaging 16.5 points while shooting 39.7 percent from the field. 

Why Saint Joseph’s Will Beat UMass

• Saint Joseph’s has won each of its last seven day games at Michael J. Hagan Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Massachusetts has lost each of its last three day games at Michael J. Hagan Arena.

UMass vs Saint Joseph’s Prediction

These are two good offensive teams, but there is one big difference, with the defense. UMass is giving up 74.8 points per game and they are going to really struggle in this game. Saint Joseph’s defense is giving up 67.6 points per game and they are going to step up in a big way here. UMass is going to really struggle to get their offense going here. Saint Joseph’s is going to score at least their season average of 76.4 points, and that will end up being the difference. Back the Hawks against the spread here.