Utah State Aggies vs Saint Mary’s Gaels NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/22/24

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Aggies versus the Gaels? Tip off is at at 8:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, CA. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 141.5 points, with Saint Mary’s being favored by -4.5 over Utah State.

UTAH STATE AGGIES VS SAINT MARY’S GAELS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Saint Mary’s Gaels -4.5

This game will be played at University Credit Union Pavilion at 8:00 ET on Sunday, December 22nd.

WHY BET THE SAINT MARY’S GAELS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-71 in favor of the Gaels.
• Not only will Saint Mary’s pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -4.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 141.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.

Can The Aggies Secure a Win at Moraga?

Utah State Aggies Recent Game/Games

The Aggies dropped to 9-1 on the season after a 75-73 home loss to UC San Diego on Tuesday. Utah State was a -10 favorite going into the game.

After leading 39-32 at halftime, Utah State allowed 43 points in the 2nd half while scoring 34. The total points for the game were 148, just under the O/U line of 148.5.

In their last game, Utah State put up 73 points, shooting 40% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 46.7%. They hit 28.6% of their threes, going 8-for-28, and were 50% on two-point attempts, finishing 16-for-32. At the free-throw line, the Aggies shot 70.8%, making 17 of 24 attempts.

Tyler McGhie led the way with 26 points, connecting on 6 of 14 from beyond the arc, shooting 50% overall. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones added 20 points, hitting 55.6% of his shots, while Karson Templin contributed 18 points in just 20 minutes, shooting 71.4% from the field and 66.7% from three.

Utah State’s defense gave up 75 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 40% from the field on 24 of 60 attempts. The Aggies allowed 16 two-point field goals on 32 attempts, a 50% shooting rate.

From beyond the arc, Utah State’s defense held the other team to 8 made threes on 28 attempts, a 28% shooting percentage. The Aggies also sent the opposing team to the free-throw line 24 times, where they made 17 free throws, shooting 70%. Utah State allowed 12 offensive rebounds.

Can the Gaels Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?

Saint Mary’s Gaels Recent Game/Games

Saint Mary’s improved to 9-2 this season with a 73-68 win over Merrimack on Thursday. Playing at home, the Gaels were -20.5 point favorites but didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 141, surpassing the O/U line of 128.5.

Saint Mary’s led 32-26 at halftime and scored 41 points in the 2nd half, but they allowed 42 points to Merrimack after the break, making the game closer than expected.

Saint Mary’s put up 73 points in their last game, shooting 45.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range, hitting 5 of 12 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 49.1%, and they were strong at the free-throw line, converting 16 of 19 for 84.2%.

Paulius Murauskas and Mitchell Saxen both scored 18 points, with Saxen grabbing 12 rebounds and Murauskas adding 11 boards and 4 assists. Augustas Marciulionis also contributed 16 points, shooting 50% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc.

Despite Saint Mary’s allowing 68 points, they couldn’t capitalize on the defensive end, as their opponents shot 45% from the field, hitting 26 of 57 attempts. The Gaels gave up 21 two-point baskets on 45 tries, a 46% success rate.

From beyond the arc, Saint Mary’s defense allowed 5 threes on 12 attempts, with their opponents shooting 41% from deep. The Gaels also sent their opponents to the line 19 times, where they converted 16 free throws, an 84% clip. Saint Mary’s gave up 16 offensive rebounds in the game.