Portland at St. Mary's Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 2/28/2019

Thursday, February 28, 2019

McKeon Pavilion

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Portland Pilots travel to McKeon Pavilion to play the St. Mary's Gaels on Thursday, February 28, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has St. Mary's as 22 point favorites.

Portland comes into this game with an overall record of 7-22. They currently have a point differential of -8.9 as they are averaging 66.2 points per game while giving up 75.1 per contest. St. Mary's has an overall mark of 19-10. They are averaging 74.4 points per contest and giving up 65.4, which is a point differential of 8.9.

Valuable Portland Pilots Betting Trends

The Portland Pilots are 9-16-0 against the spread

The Portland Pilots are 11-13-1 against the over/under

Important St. Mary's Gaels Betting Trends

The St. Mary's Gaels are 15-12-0 against the spread

The St. Mary's Gaels are 14-13-0 against the over/under

Key Portland Pilots Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key St. Mary's Gaels Injuries

11/08/18 C Aaron Menzies Hand is out indefinitely
11/08/18 G Kristers Zoriks ACL is out for season

Player Spotlight

JoJo Walker averages 11.8 points per game in 30.8 minutes per contest. He averages 3.5 assists per contest and 3.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 38% for the year while his free throw percentage is 71%. Marcus Shaver comes into this contest averaging 15.0 points per game while playing 31.5 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is at 78%.

Player Spotlight

Malik Fitts averages 15.8 points per game and he sees the court an average of 31.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.7 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 78%. Jordan Ford averages 21.8 points per game while playing 36.6 minutes per contest. He grabs 2.9 rebounds per game and has 2.7 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 79%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Pilots allow 75.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 265th in Division 1. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 203rd and 301st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 38.0 rebounds a game which ranks 312th, and they give up 15.9 assists per contest which puts them in 337th place in the NCAA. They force 11.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 48th in the nation. Portland averages 66.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 318th in the country. Their average scoring margin is -8.9 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 306th. Behind the arc they shoot 32% which is good for 288th in D-1. They average 32.5 rebounds per game and 12.1 assists per contest, which ranks them 312th and 279th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 127th with 13.5 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Gaels surrender 65.4 points per contest, which ranks them 41st in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 184th and 126th in those defensive statistics. They rank 27th with 10.7 assists allowed per contest, and 5th with 29.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Gaels are 14th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 10.7 per game. St. Mary's is 133rd in the country with 74.4 points per game this year. They are 41st in the D-1 in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 8.9. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 40th in the nation. They are 199th in the country in rebounding with 35.1 boards per game and 342nd in assists per contest with 10.5. The Gaels are 336th in turnovers per game with 10.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Pilots are 325th in the nation in offensive rating with 94.8. In terms of pace they are 191st in the country with 69.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 305th. As a team they are 294th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 153rd in Division 1. Portland is 86th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

St. Mary's is 328th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions. The Gaels are 14th in the country in offensive rating with 113.9. In terms of pace they are 339th in Division 1 with 65 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 54% is 51st. As a team they are 50th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 259th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Portland/St. Mary's college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take St. Mary's -22

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