Saint Mary’s vs Pacific Odds, Pick for Tuesday

The Saint Mary's Gaels are well on their way to a WCC regular-season title after taking care of business against the Gonzaga Bulldogs on the road Saturday. After a big win, it is typical for a team to have a letdown game in its next contest. However, the Gaels are fortunate they face the Pacific Tigers, who they held to just 28 points two weeks ago.

The Tigers are arguably the worst Power 5 team in the country, but they have been scrappy lately. They have managed to cover the spread in their last few contests, and are once again massive underdogs against the Gaels.

Guard Aidan Mahaney took a couple of months to wake up offensively, but he has been terrific in conference play. Mahaney nailed four 3s in the win at Gonzaga and has finally found his groove.

It is great to see the Gaels take a stranglehold on the WCC since everyone knew Gonzaga was not a prominent team like in years past. Saint Mary's is dangerous, and Randy Bennett has developed his team into one of the most balanced groups in the country.

The last time these two teams met, it was practically over by halftime. The Gaels stumbled a bit at the start of the contest, but their defense kicked into gear quickly. The Tigers have no chance to win here. It is as big of a lopsided matchup as you will see in a conference game throughout the country.

Saint Mary's ranks 14th in defensive efficiency, and Pacific has one of the worst offenses in the country. The Gaels' 3-point shooting numbers are not great overall, but since conference play began, they've been a terrific team from deep.

I expect another defensive slugfest from the Gaels.

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Pacific has somehow covered the spread in its last three games, but the streak probably ends here. The Tigers are bottom 20 in almost every offensive category, which is a recipe for disaster against the Gaels.

They are shooting 64% from the free-throw line as a team, which is also bottom 10 in the nation. The Tigers can not get out of their own way offensively, and they can't grab an offensive rebound for the life of them.

Just like the first matchup between these two teams, I expect a lower-scoring game. It is outlandish to think the Gaels will hold the Tigers to 28 points again, but I would be extremely stunned if Pacific broke 50 points.

The Tigers have no answers for the Gaels on the defensive side of the ball either. They are one of the worst interior defensive teams in the country. Pacific ranks 359th in opposing 2PT defense and 356th in opposing FG%.

Last time, I took the Gaels as my best bet in this matchup. This time, I am more than happy to take the Under in this game.

Even though Pacific is absolutely horrific, Saint Mary's could easily come out sleepy after its big win against Gonzaga. The Gaels' offense may take a bit to get back into rhythm, and their offense is already one of the slowest in the entire country in terms of pace.

The Tigers may extend their against-the-spread streak, but I do not see how the total goes over. There were 103 total points in the last matchup, and although it should get slightly higher than that Tuesday, I don't think it comes close to the current number.

Pick: Under 129.5 (Play to 127)