New Mexico at Saint Mary's odds, picks and predictions
The New Mexico Lobos (1-0) and Saint Mary's Gaels (1-0) are lined up for a Thursday contest. The opening tip at University Credit Union Pavilion will be at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the New Mexico vs. Saint Mary's odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
New Mexico opened its season Monday, defeating Texas Southern 92-55 and covering as 17.5-point home favorites. The Lobos got to the free-throw line 27 times and held the Tigers to a rough shooting night (29.4% from the field, 20.8% from 3-point range). UNM now heads out on the road where last season it went just 1-5 after Jan. 15.
Saint Mary's, which is No. 23 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll, went 27-8 last season and is the defending champ of the West Coast Conference. The Gaels also opened their season Monday against an overmatched team that struggled mightily on offense. SMC routed Cal State Stanislaus 107-28.
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New Mexico at Saint Mary's odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:51 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: New Mexico +220 (bet $100 to win $220) | Saint Mary's -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): New Mexico +6.5 (-110) | Saint Mary's -6.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
New Mexico at Saint Mary's picks and predictions
Prediction
Saint Mary's 73, New Mexico 68
Moneyline
No lean toward either side, and these are well-made prices likely bracketing the true odds. PASS.
Against the spread
The Lobos and Gaels met last season, and UNM upset SMC with a 69-65 win as a 9-point underdog.
We should expect the Gaels to bounce back in this retribution game, but UNM brings back much of its rotation from last season, and this one could easily finish as a 3-to-7-point win for SMC. PASS.
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Over/Under
The Under is 5-1 across New Mexico's last 6 November games lined at 7 points or less. In Saint Mary's November home games, the Under has cashed in 4 straight when the spread is 7 or lower. Since Nov. 15, 2021, the Under has gone 6-3 in those SMC November home games lined as such.
This is a hare (New Mexico) and tortoise (Saint Mary's) clash of styles, but look for both defenses to be dialed in after not being tested on Monday. Last year's game was lined with a total of 137 and hit the Under. Just 50 points were scored in the opening half of that meeting, and only a scoring spurt over the final 12 minutes got the eventual total past 130. Free-throw attempts and offensive rebounds were held in check in that one.
BACK THE UNDER 142.5 (-110).
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