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The West Coast Conference slate features a heavy hitting matchup on Wednesday night as the Santa Clara Broncos travel to Moraga to face the Saint Mary’s Gaels. This contest is set for 11:00 PM ET at the University Credit Union Pavilion and will be broadcast nationally on CBSS. Saint Mary’s enters this game with a dominant 17-1 record on their home floor while Santa Clara brings a solid 8-3 road record into the mix.
The betting market has established the Gaels as a 5.5 point favorite with the total currently sitting at 152.5 points. This game carries plenty of weight for conference standings as both teams are looking to sharpen their resumes before the tournament. Santa Clara is coming off an explosive performance where they put up 94 points in a win over San Francisco. Meanwhile, the Gaels looked very comfortable in their last outing, securing a 16 point win against Washington State.
I think the home court factor is doing a lot of the heavy lifting for this spread, which is understandable given how tough it is to play in Moraga. The moneyline currently sits at -238 for Saint Mary’s and +186 for Santa Clara. While the Gaels are the favorites, the Broncos have shown they have the offensive firepower to hang with anyone in the WCC if they find their rhythm early.
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Santa Clara vs Saint Mary’s Odds
It is always important to monitor the latest college basketball odds before placing your bets as these numbers can fluctuate based on late injury news or professional action.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Santa Clara | +186 | +5.5 (-113) | O 152.5 (-113) |
| Saint Mary’s | -238 | -5.5 (-112) | U 152.5 (-113) |
Santa Clara Betting Form
Santa Clara is playing with a high level of confidence right now. Their offensive output is legitimate, ranking 32nd in the country with an average of 84 points per game. They really look to push the volume, often attempting more than 65 shots per contest. Elijah Mahi is coming off a massive 30 point game and he has been the engine for this group recently. When he gets support from guys like Christian Hammond and Thierry Darlan, this offense is very difficult to slow down.
The Broncos have an effective field goal percentage of 55.1 percent, which suggests their high volume isn’t just empty calories. They are actually making the most of their possessions. Perhaps the most impressive part of their season has been the 8-3 road record. They don’t seem to be intimidated by hostile environments, which is a necessary trait when visiting the Gaels. You can find more detailed data on their season by checking the Santa Clara stats and results.
Rotation health will be something to watch as the tipoff approaches. I always recommend checking the Santa Clara injury report to ensure their primary scorers are good to go. If they have their full complement of guards, their ability to score efficiently from the perimeter could neutralize some of the defensive pressure that Saint Mary’s usually applies.
Saint Mary’s Betting Form
Saint Mary’s is essentially a machine when they play at the University Credit Union Pavilion. A 17-1 home record speaks for itself. They play a very disciplined style of basketball, only turning the ball over 10.4 times per game. This ball security allows them to maximize their offensive efficiency, where they currently hit 38.5 percent of their three point attempts. Joshua Dent and Paulius Murauskas have been the standout performers lately, combining scoring punch with solid rebounding.
The Gaels rely on a blend of perimeter shooting and strong interior play. They aren’t going to beat themselves with mistakes, which puts the pressure on the opponent to play a near perfect game. They showed great balance in their recent 83-67 win over Washington State. To see how they match up against future opponents, you can look at the Saint Mary’s schedule and stats.
Availability has been a strong suit for them this season, but you should still keep an eye on the Saint Mary’s injury report just in case any late scratches occur. Their defensive identity is built on communication and staying in front of their man, so any missing pieces in the frontcourt would be a significant blow against a team that attacks the rim as much as Santa Clara does.
Santa Clara vs Saint Mary’s Matchup Breakdown
This game is a classic clash of styles. Santa Clara wants to turn this into a track meet where they can utilize their 84 point per game average. Saint Mary’s, on the other hand, is much more comfortable in a structured half court game where they can control the pace and limit possessions. I think the tempo battle will determine who covers the spread. If Santa Clara can force a high volume of shots, they have the shooters to keep this within a couple of possessions.
One area where the Gaels might have an edge is on the glass. They are historically strong at limiting second chance points. If Santa Clara is forced into one and done possessions, their high field goal attempt rate starts to matter less. However, the Broncos have shown they can score efficiently enough that they don’t always need second chances. Using some advanced NCAAB betting strategies can help you decide if you want to back the high octane offense or the defensive discipline of the home team.
- Santa Clara scores 84.0 points per game (32nd in NCAAB).
- Saint Mary’s is 17-1 at home this season.
- The Broncos have a 55.1% effective field goal percentage.
- The Gaels turn the ball over only 10.4 times per game.
Santa Clara vs Saint Mary’s Predictions and Best Bets
I think this spread is a little bit too wide for a Santa Clara team that is playing this well. While winning in Moraga is a tall task, the Broncos have the offensive tools to keep this game tight until the final minutes. The projection of a 80-77 finish feels right on the money. Santa Clara’s ability to score in bunches should allow them to weather the runs that Saint Mary’s inevitably makes at home.
The total is an interesting spot at 152.5. Both teams have shown they can put up numbers, but the Gaels are masters at slowing down the game when they have a lead. Even though the combined offensive stats might point toward a high scoring affair, the lower possession count that Saint Mary’s forces usually drags these conference games toward the under. I think we see a game that is played at a methodical pace for large stretches.
For a best bet, I am taking the points with the underdog. Santa Clara has been a reliable road team all year and they have the guard play to handle the defensive pressure they will face. Getting 5.5 points in a rivalry game like this feels like there is enough cushion to cover even if they don’t pull off the outright upset.
Best Bet: Santa Clara +5.5 (-113)
Advanced Insights for CBB Bettors
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NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Finding an edge in college basketball often requires looking at more than just the box scores. You can browse today’s college basketball picks to see how the pros are playing this WCC matchup and others on the schedule. Our experts dig into the film and the data to provide a different perspective than the standard market consensus.
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