The No. 23 Saint Louis Billikens (17-1, 6-0 Atlantic 10) are set to face the St. Bonaventure Bonnies (12-7, 1-5) on Friday at the Reilly Center in Saint Bonaventure, New York. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on ESPN2.
Saint Louis comes into the matchup having won their last four encounters against St. Bonaventure, with the Bonnies’ last victory in the series dating back to 2022. The Billikens have shown a strong performance against the spread (ATS), going 3-0 in their last three meetings with St. Bonaventure. Additionally, the Under has consistently hit, going 4-0 in the last four games between these teams and 9-1 since 2019.
In their most recent outing, the Billikens secured an 81-77 win against the Duquesne Dukes while covering the spread as a 9.5-point favorite. Notably, five players scored in double digits for Saint Louis, with center Robbie Avila, nicknamed “Cream Abdul-Jabbar,” contributing 14 points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds.
Saint Louis has been impressive this season, boasting a remarkable 12-game winning streak following their only loss to Stanford, where they fell 78-77. Currently, they are 4-2 against the spread in their last six games, and recent trends suggest a moderated scoring pace, with the Under hitting in three consecutive contests.
On the other hand, St. Bonaventure recently ended a five-game losing streak with an 84-70 victory over Loyola Illinois, successfully covering the 10.5-point spread. Guard Darryl Simmons II led the team with 26 points, backed by Frank Mitchell and Cayden Charles, who had strong performances as well. While the Bonnies have struggled with an ATS record of 1-4 in their last five games, they will look to build momentum from their recent win.
BetMGM Sportsbook’s odds indicate Saint Louis as a favorite with a moneyline of -375 compared to St. Bonaventure’s +290. The spread is set at Saint Louis -8.5, suggesting confidence in their ability to dominate the game.
Sports predictions lean towards a Saint Louis victory, estimating a final score of 84-72. While betting against the spread appears favorable for Saint Louis, caution is advised, given the risks associated with the moneyline.
The combination of Saint Louis’s strong frontcourt and their recent form against St. Bonaventure may prove crucial in this matchup. Despite St. Bonaventure’s recent win, the Billikens’ consistent performance this season paints an optimistic picture for their upcoming clash.