NCAAB: Gaels vs Cougars Predictions
College basketball betting action sees the St. Mary’s Gaels taking on the BYU Cougars on Thursday February 11 at the Marriott Center in Provo, Utah. Cappers Picks provides free NCAAB handicapping tips all season long.
After Gonzaga these are the two best teams in the WCC. There is lots at stake in terms of postseason positioning.
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St. Mary’s Gaels (18-5) vs. BYU Cougars (18-8)
Thursday February 12
9:30PM Marriott Center – Provo, UT
ESPN2
NCAAB Betting Lines: BYU -6
NCAAB Betting Total: n/a
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St. Mary’s
The Gaels are consistently one of the stronger mid major programs in America…you just don’t hear about them as much because they are always in the shadow of Gonzaga.
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They are always competitive in the WCC and now in addition to the Zags they have a burgeoning rivalry with BYU, who is trying to horn in on their position within it.
They have won 8 of their last 10 including a 5 point victory over Cougars last month. If they can win this one a second place conference finish.
It is not unheard of for NBA talent to be hiding at St. Mary’s – see Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova.
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This season their best player is Brad Waldow who is averaging close to a double double at 20/9. Overall this team is solid on offense and defense but if they are going to beat other quality teams they need him to play well.
They are not a one man team though, three others hit double figures in their last game.
BYU
The Cougars absolutely have to have this game if they want to have a shot at making it to the NCAA Tournament.
They are the top scoring team in the country but they have not been able get any “scalps” and a second loss to St. Mary’s would clearly make them the third best team in a league that might not be strong enough to get two bids this season.
The Cougars have a very underrated home environment at the Marriott Center and this should be a really good atmosphere Thursday night.
Tyler Haws is one of the more underappreciated players in America.
I am not sure he has an NBA future but he is a crafty scorer, much more than the gunner that Jimmer was before him. As good as Haws is Kyle Collinsworth is probably the better player. He had a triple-double in their last game and fills out more of the boxscore.
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Both benefit from the fact that they do not have to do it all alone.
NCAAB Handicapping Trends:
- SMC are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 vs. West Coast.
- SMC are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games overall.
- Under is 20-7 in SMC last 27 overall.
- BYU are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 home games.
- Over is 6-2 in BYU last 8 overall.
- Over is 6-2 in BYU last 8 vs. West Coast.
NCAAB Prediction: BYU -6
This will be a fun one.
NCAAB Score prediction: BYU 84 – St. Mary’s 76
Unfortunately we won’t learn a ton as the Cougars even up the season series. They will cover too.
Check out our Updated College Basketball Betting Odds.
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