The Grand Canyon Antelopes (29-4) and Saint Mary’s Gaels (26-7) meet Friday for an NCAA Tournament 1st-round game. Tip-off from the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena is scheduled for approximately 10:05 p.m. ET (truTV). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s'lines around the Grand Canyon vs. Saint Mary’s odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Antelopes racked up a pair of wins and covers against Seattle and UT Arlington in the WAC Tournament, covering both times as 6-point favorites. GRC has won and covered 5 in a row in since back-to-back losses to Tarleton State and Abilene Christian Feb. 22-24. The Over has cashed in 2 in a row, while going 5-3 in the past 8 outings.
The Gaels — who are No. 15 in the — topped Santa Clara (semifinal) and Gonzaga (title game) in the WCC Tournament, covering both times while splitting the total. Saint Mary’s has won 18 of the past 19 games, with only a 13-point setback at home in Moraga, Calif., against the Zags in the regular-season finale. SMC is 8-2 against the spread (ATS) in the past 10 games, and 12-4 ATS in the past 16 outings.
This is the 1st meeting between these teams since March 1, 2016, when Saint Mary’s won 73-64 at home.