Georgia Basketball Faces Saint Louis in Crucial NCAA Tournament Matchup
The 2026 NCAA Tournament is underway, and one of the most intriguing first-round battles pits the Georgia Bulldogs against the Saint Louis Billikens in the Midwest Region. This 8 vs. 9 matchup promises a hard-fought contest, with both teams eager to advance. If you’re looking for where to watch, check your local TV provider listings.
Team Breakdown
No. 8 Georgia (22-10) finished seventh in the SEC standings and enters the tournament with momentum, having won three of their last four games. The Bulldogs are looking to improve upon their first-round exit in last year’s March Madness. Meanwhile, No. 9 Saint Louis (28-5) secured the A-10 regular season title but has stumbled recently, losing two of their last three contests. The Billikens are making their return to the NCAA Tournament after a four-year absence, last dancing in 2019.
Head-to-Head & Betting Odds
Historically, Georgia holds a 2-0 advantage over Saint Louis, with their most recent encounter dating back to 2010. As of today, the Bulldogs are favored by 2.5 points in the latest Georgia vs. Saint Louis odds. The over/under is set at 167.5 points, a decrease from the opening line of 171.5. Georgia currently has moneyline odds of -138 (risk $138 to win $100).
Expert Predictions & Analysis
The SportsLine Projection Model, which has a proven track record in predicting college basketball outcomes, has simulated this game 10,000 times. Entering the tournament, the model boasts an impressive 11-1 run on its top-rated over/under picks and a 28-22 record on its top-rated side picks. The model’s simulations reveal a compelling trend: the Under on the total (167.5 points) is the favored outcome.
Why the Under?
- Saint Louis’ Recent Trend: The Under has hit in 3 of Saint Louis’ last 4 games and 7 of their last 10.
- Offensive Shift: Saint Louis’ scoring has decreased in recent games, averaging 91.3 points in their first 23 games compared to 77.8 points in their last 10.
- Georgia’s Neutral Site Performance: The Under has been successful in 6 of Georgia’s last 9 neutral-site contests.
- Low-Scoring Games: Georgia’s recent game saw only 148 combined points, one of their lowest-scoring affairs of the season.
The model anticipates a slower pace of play, typical of postseason competition, leading to both teams scoring below their season averages. This scenario results in the Under hitting in approximately 60.2% of the simulations. Furthermore, the model identifies a strong likelihood – nearly 70% – of one side of the spread proving successful.
For the full breakdown of the model’s picks, including which side of the spread is predicted to win, visit SportsLine.
Game Details
- Spread: Georgia -2.5
- Over/Under: 167.5 points
- Money Line: Georgia -138, Saint Louis +116
- TV: CBS
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