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Hawks vs Billikens Picks and Predictions – Wednesday December 31, 2025
Saint Joseph’s heads to Chaifetz Arena for an Atlantic 10 conference game against Saint Louis on Wednesday, December 31, with tip set for 4:00 PM ET on ESPN+. This is a classic matchup where the favorite’s floor is high, but the betting decision is all about price. A number north of 20 points asks you to handicap rotations, pace, and late-game intent, not just who the better team is.
Saint Louis has been a wrecking ball at home, and the market is respecting it with a massive spread and a moneyline that’s basically off-limits. Saint Joseph’s is clearly the underdog, but they do have a few traits that can matter in a game like this, especially if they can win some of the possession margins and stay out of foul trouble.
Saint Joseph’s Hawks vs Saint Louis Billikens Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should keep an eye on updated college basketball odds on the latest NCAAB odds page.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Joseph’s Hawks | +1650 | +20.5 (-110) | 156.5 |
| Saint Louis Billikens | -5000 | -20.5 (-110) | 156.5 |
Saint Joseph’s Hawks Betting Form
Saint Joseph’s just took care of business in its last outing, and the offensive ceiling shows up when their primary scorers get downhill and live at the line. Jaiden Glover-Toscano’s 29-point night is the type of individual shot-making you need when you’re walking into a hostile A-10 gym as a big dog. It’s not enough on its own, but it keeps the cover alive if the game stretches into a free throw contest late.
The Hawks’ most useful traits for betting are rebounding and free throw shooting. If they can keep Saint Louis from stacking multiple possessions in a row, they can shorten the game without playing slow. That matters in a +20.5 spot because you’re basically trying to survive the inevitable run and make sure it doesn’t happen twice.
For a deeper look at recent results and team trends, check Saint Joseph’s stats and results.
Saint Louis Billikens Betting Form
Saint Louis has been piling up points at an elite rate, and it’s not just one-shot luck. They’re scoring 94.5 per game with strong efficiency, and they control the glass like a team that expects to win comfortably. When you combine that with a 10-1 home record, you can see why the market is comfortable hanging a number this big.
The key question for spread bettors is how Saint Louis scores its separation. If it’s coming from rebounding and paint touches, that’s more sustainable across 40 minutes and more likely to cover even if threes go cold. If the margin depends on a shooting avalanche, the backdoor becomes very real once benches enter.
To track home performance and recent game flow, use Saint Louis schedule and stats.
Saint Joseph’s Hawks vs Saint Louis Billikens Matchup Breakdown
The matchup starts on the glass. Saint Louis is an elite rebounding team, and that’s the quickest way to bury an underdog because it creates extra shots without needing extra pace. Saint Joseph’s needs to rebound like it’s a one-possession game, even if the scoreboard says otherwise. If the Hawks can keep second chances close to even, the spread becomes more playable.
Shot profile matters too. Saint Louis is efficient and comfortable scoring inside the arc, and Saint Joseph’s best counter is forcing harder twos and limiting clean catch-and-shoot looks. For a big favorite, “easy points” are everything. If Saint Louis is scoring at the rim and at the line, it can cover without ever playing fast. If the Billikens are settling, +20.5 has breathing room.
Turnovers and late-game minutes decide the last six points of a spread like this. If Saint Louis plays a tighter rotation because it’s a conference game and they want to send a message, the cover becomes more likely. If they empty the bench early, Saint Joseph’s can lose the game cleanly and still slide inside the number with a few made threes and free throws late.
If you want a refresher on how to price garbage time, tempo swings, and free throw variance into spreads and totals, the expert betting guide is a useful baseline.
Saint Joseph’s Hawks vs Saint Louis Billikens Predictions and Best Bets
My lean is Saint Louis -20.5, but it’s not a comfortable click. The case is simple: Saint Louis can score efficiently, they rebound at a high level, and they’ve been dominant at home. If the Billikens win the glass and avoid a turnover spike, they can build a 12 to 15 point lead early and extend it with steady possessions, not just a shooting run.
The only thing that scares me is the size of the number with a total this high. A 156.5 total implies pace and points, and higher-possession games create more backdoor risk for favorites, especially once benches take over. That’s why I’m looking for Saint Louis to show physical control early, not just hot shooting.
On the total, I lean under 156.5. Saint Louis can score a ton, but Saint Joseph’s efficiency is the question mark, and a big spread can also drag pace late if the game gets decided early. If Saint Louis is comfortable, the final eight minutes can turn into longer possessions and fewer fouls, which is where overs die quietly.
Best Bet: Under 156.5
NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
For more games on the board, start with college basketball picks to compare sides and totals across the slate. If you want matchup context in the same format as this write-up, the NCAAB previews hub helps you move game to game quickly.
To track who is actually producing, use the best handicappers page and validate current form on the leaderboard. If you want packaged plays, you can browse options on buy picks. For broader tools, the college basketball teams hub is useful when you’re bouncing between programs, the main blog is where you’ll find additional angles, and you can compare operators and services through sportsbook reviews and handicappers sites reviews.
