St. Mary's (2-0) vs Akron (0-1)
Game Info: Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 10:00 pm (University Credit Union Pavilion)
The Line: Betting Odds: St. Mary's -13 / Akron +13 — Over/Under: 140
The Akron Zips are visiting the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Tuesday, November 12th at the University Credit Union Pavilion. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Akron Zips vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Prediction.
Saint Mary’s Gaels Preview
The Saint Mary’s Gaels have a perfect 2-0 record this season and are tied with four more teams in the second place on the West Coast. They are 2-0 at home, but 0-2 against the spread, and 2-0 in over/under.
Offensively, Saint Mary’s averages 81 points per game, which ranks 156th in the nation, while defensively they allow 71.5 points per game (194th). The Gaels shoot with 49.1% from the field (106th) and with 31.6% from beyond the arc (233rd).
Saint Mary’s is coming off an 86-74 home win against Chattanooga, not covering the -16.5-point spread and the game went over the 137-point total. The Gaels managed to hold their ground, despite not shooting better than Chattanooga from the field (51% to 52%), but attacked the paint and went to the free-throw line 32 times, where they shot with 75%. Augustas Marciulionis led the Gaels’ offense with a game-high 27 points, adding 3 rebounds and a game-high 7 assists.
Marciulionis leads Saint Mary’s in scoring this season, with 18.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and a team-high 7.5 assists, while Paulius Murauskas adds 18.5 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. St. Mary’s will take on Nebraska, Cal Poly, USC, and UTSA after this game.
Akron Zips Preview
The Akron Zips are coming off a successful 24-11 season, finishing second in the MAC with a 13-5 conference record. Akron had an almost perfect 13-1 home record but was much less effective on the road with 7-6. The Zips were 14-15 against the spread and 14-15 in over/under.
Akron is coming off a 75-80 road defeat by Arkansas State, covering the +5.5-point spread and the game went over the 148.5-point total. The Zips could not get anything going offensively, shooting with just 35% from the field, while getting their shots blocked 9 times.
Sharron Young led the Zips’ offense with 15 points on 6-8 shooting, while Josiah Harris added 13 points and 7 rebounds.
Why the Saint Mary’s Gaels will win
- Saint Mary’s has won each of its last 12 night games at University Credit Union Pavilion against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Akron has lost each of its last four road games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Saint Mary’s has won the first half in each of its last 14 games at University Credit Union Pavilion against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Akron Zips will win
- Akron has won four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Akron Zips vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Prediction
In their previous meeting in 2013, Saint Mary’s won at home by 85-63. In this Akron Zips vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Prediction, Saint Mary’s is coming as -13-point home favorites. The Gaels are undefeated this season but failed to cover the spread in both games and they are having some troubles defensively. Akron’s previous game was a high-scoring one, with 155 total points, while Saint Mary’s has gone over in both of their games this season with 160 and 145 total points. I expect Akron to put up some points against this Gaels’ defense, so I’m going to take the over in this game.