St. Mary's (9-2) vs Merrimack (5-7)
Game Info: Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 10:00 pm (University Credit Union Pavilion)
The Line: Betting Odds: St. Mary's -21 / Merrimack +21 — Over/Under: 126.5
The Merrimack Warriors are visiting the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Thursday, December 19th 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 a Merrimack Warriors vs Saint Mary’s Gaels Prediction.
Saint Mary’s Gaels Preview
The Saint Mary’s Gaels have a 9-2 record this season and are coming off a 65-67 loss to Boise State. The Gaels are 3-7 against the spread, and 5-5 in over/under, while having a 6-0 home record.
Offensively, Saint Mary’s is averaging 76.2 points per game, which ranks 182nd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 63.3 points per game (23rd). The Gaels shoot 45.6% from the field (164th) and 31.4% from beyond the arc (279th). The Gaels shoot 67.2% from the free-throw line (290th) and are grabbing 42.1 rebounds per game, which is the 18th-best in the nation.
Augustas Marciulionis leads Saint Mary’s in scoring this season, with 14.7 points and a team-high 6 assists, while Paulius Murauskas adds 13.7 points and a team-high 8.8 rebounds. Saint Mary’s will meet Utah State, Pacific, and Pepperdine after this game.
Merrimack Warriors Preview
The Merrimack Warriors have a 5-7 record this season and are coming off a 68-74 loss to Stanford. The Warriors are 7-5 against the spread, and 6-6 in over/under while having a 3-5 road record.
Offensively, Merrimack is averaging just 63.2 points per game, which ranks 348th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 67.3 points per game (88th). The Warriors shoot 41.1% from the field (327th) and 30.1% from beyond the arc (318th). The Warriors shoot 75.6% from the free-throw line (59th) and are grabbing 29.8 rebounds per game (356th).
Adam Clark leads Merrimack in scoring this season, with an average of 20.8 points, 4 rebounds a team-high 5 assists, while Sean Trumper adds 9.3 points and a team-high 5.7 rebounds.
Why the Saint Mary’s Gaels will win
- Saint Mary’s has won each of its last 15 night games at University Credit Union Pavilion against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- Merrimack has lost each of its last 10 road night games against non-conference opponents.
- Saint Mary’s has won the first half in each of its last 18 games at University Credit Union Pavilion against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Why the Merrimack Warriors will win
- Merrimack has won each of its last 12 Thursday games.
Total Points Facts
- Ten of Saint Mary’s’ last 11 games against non-conference opponents have produced a total of 132+ points.
- Four of Merrimack’s last five games against non-conference opponents have produced a total of 140+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Saint Mary’s ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game this season (42.1).
- Saint Mary’s ranks 16th among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (56.6%).
- Merrimack ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (43.1%).
- Merrimack ranks 356th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (10.1).
Merrimack Warriors vs Saint Mary’s Gaels Prediction
In this Merrimack Warriors vs Saint Mary’s Gaels Prediction, Saint Mary’s is coming as -21 home favorites. Saint Mary’s is better both offensively, scoring 13 points more than Merrimack, and defensively, allowing 4 points less. The Gaels are winning by an average of 12.9 points, while the Warriors are losing by an average of 4.1 points. Saint Mary’s has been undefeated at home and I don’t expect that to change against an inferior Merrimack squad. Take the Saint Mary’s Gaels and lay the points at home in this one.