The Pacific Tigers (13-16, 6-8 WCC) will try to go on the road and take down the conference leading Saint Mary's Gaels (24-5, 13-1) in University Credit Union Pavilion Thursday at 10 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the'Pacific vs. Saint Mary's odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
These teams have not played over the last 2 years. So, this will be a strange matchup for both squads getting to know each other.
The Gaels have been stellar so far this season, though. Despite not being ranked in the top 25 of the coaches poll, the Gaels are ranked 8th in the NET ranks – the NCAA ranks to determine the best teams for the season based on metrics.
While a win against an overmatched Pacific will not boost this rank, a loss will hurt them in both the tournament seeding and in hoping to fend off Gonzaga, who resides just 1 game back in the conference.