Saint Mary’s Gaels vs Portland Pilots Picks and Predictions January 24th 2026

Last Updated on

Saint Mary’s Gaels vs Portland Pilots Betting Preview

The Saint Mary’s Gaels look to continue their dominant season, while the Portland Pilots aim to defend the Chiles Center in this West Coast Conference clash.

Line Movement and Odds

Saint Mary’s enters as the heavy favorite, but Portland’s home record makes this line worth monitoring. Current market:

  • Saint Mary’s Spread: -14.5 (-107)
  • Portland Spread: +14.5 (-118)
  • Saint Mary’s MoneyLine: -1215
  • Portland MoneyLine: +691
  • Total: 145.5 (-110)

Check the College Basketball Odds page for real-time updates and sharper angles before tip-off.

Every Sharp Move, Every Capper, All Sports

Track professional picks, line steam, and market swings in real time.

Matchup Breakdown

Saint Mary’s Outlook

The Gaels average 77.9 points per game, with Joshua Dent, Paulius Murauskas, and Mitchell Saxen leading the offense. Dent’s 16 points vs Oregon State highlighted his consistency, while Murauskas’ 19 points per game showcase his impact. Saint Mary’s efficiency (46.8% FG; 80.8% FT, 21st nationally; 18-3 overall record; 4-2 road record) underscores their strengths. Their ability to dominate on both ends makes them a dangerous favorite.

Portland Outlook

The Pilots average 74.2 points per game, with Joel Foxwell, Mikah Ballew, and Vuk Vuksanovic driving production. Foxwell’s 18 points vs Loyola Marymount highlighted his consistency, while Ballew’s 17 points showcased his impact. Portland’s efficiency (47.0% FG; 17.8 assists per game, 33rd nationally; 9-4 home record; 10-11 overall record) underscores their strengths. Their ability to defend the Chiles Center makes them tough at home.

Key Factors

This matchup may hinge on pace and rebounding. Saint Mary’s thrives on disciplined play and balanced scoring, while Portland must rely on Foxwell’s offensive firepower and Ballew’s perimeter shooting to tilt the game. Execution in the final minutes will likely decide the margin.

Basketball
2026-01-31 14:00
Open
Ohio Bobcats
Buffalo Bulls
Basketball
2026-01-31 17:00
Open
Indiana Hoosiers
UCLA Bruins
Basketball
2026-01-31 18:00
Open
Oregon St Beavers
San Diego Toreros

Injuries / Availability

Saint Mary’s: The Gaels report no fresh injury concerns heading into Saturday’s contest.

Portland: The Pilots are expected to have their full rotation available.

Environment

The Chiles Center has been a reliable venue for Portland, where they’ve gone 9-4 this season. Saint Mary’s enters with confidence from strong offensive performances, making this a clash of home strength vs road-tested resilience.

The Home of Verified Handicappers

3,000+ monthly plays tracked live across all sports.

Best Bets and Prediction

Projected Final Score: Saint Mary’s 80, Portland 70

  • Portland +14.5 → Best Bet. Their offensive efficiency and home-court presence suggest they can stay within the number.
  • Under 145.5 → Total play. Both teams’ slower pace points toward a combined score below the line.

Saint Mary’s depth and shooting rhythm should carry them to victory, while Portland’s offense keeps the spread in play. Expect a moderately low-scoring contest with totals landing just under the posted number.

Handicappers and Service Plays

WCC games often create unique betting opportunities. Our Best Handicappers spotlight experts who consistently read market trends, while the Leaderboard highlights who’s riding hot streaks. Premium insights in Buy Picks provide deeper reasoning behind each wager. For contests like Saint Mary’s vs Portland, expert perspectives can help identify sharp angles in spreads and totals.

Yesterday
Sports Central
$490
2. Seth Cohen
$300
3. William Taylor
$200
4. David MacGyver
$200
5. Tonny Ricci
$200
This Week
Sports Central
$1,250
2. Kyle Buchman
$1,150
3. Seth Cohen
$767
4. Ross Walker
$727
5. Jhon Walsh
$700
This Month
Sports Central
$3,226
2. Dan Jones
$1,698
3. Scott’s Picks
$1,414
4. Pro Picks – Mike
$1,363
5. Sas Insider
$1,201