Indiana Vs. Saint Mary’s Odds, Picks, and Predictions (3/17/22)

After securing an eight-point win in the play-in game against the Wyoming Cowboys, the Indiana Hoosiers will travel to Portland on short rest to go toe-to-toe with Saint Mary’s. The Gaels currently have a 25-7 record overall and a 12-3 conference record; two of those losses came against the nation’s best team, the Gonzaga Bulldogs. This season has been another impressive one for the Gaels, who have had five out of their past seven seasons with single-digit losses.

Meanwhile, Indiana has rallied behind first-year head coach Mike Woodson, a former star for the Hoosiers under Bob Knight many years prior. Woodson has had an incredible coaching career at the professional level but is in his first season as a collegiate head coach. The Hoosiers responded well to his hire, making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016. There is a further analysis for this game below, so see who I have winning the game!

Indiana Vs. Saint Mary’s Betting Odds

Indiana Betting Odds

The Hoosiers find themselves in the Round of 64 after beating Wyoming in one of the four play-in games. It was an ugly offensive game from Indiana, to say the least. They finished the game shooting 42% from the floor and an abysmal 15% from behind the arc. Additionally, they went 12-for-20 from the free-throw line. Without Trayce Jackson-Davis, the Hoosiers would have lost by double-digits. There’s no doubt about it. Regardless, Indiana matches up well with Saint Mary’s from a size perspective. The bottom line in this game is whether or not Indiana can get hot from deep.

Saint Mary’s Betting Odds

This season, the Saint Mary’s Gaels are a dangerous team; they have three players who shoot 39% from deep or better, including Tommy Kuhse, Alex Ducas, and Kyle Bowen. Where the Gaels really excel is on the defensive end, though. KenPom has them ranked ninth in his adjusted defensive efficiency model, making them a tough “out” in the month of March. They have four players averaging double-digits, so defenses can’t focus all their attention on one or two guys. If there is any weakness with this team, it is the fact that they are thin on the depth chart. The Gaels only utilize six players consistently.

Indiana Vs. Saint Mary’s Picks & Prediction

I have to leave my biases at home; this game should end with Saint Mary’s moving on to the Round of 32. Indiana struggled mightily against Wyoming on the offensive end, which is somewhat concerning. Wyoming ranks 67th in adjusted defensive efficiency, while the Gaels rank ninth in the same category. The Hoosiers have an incredible defense as well; however, I can’t get behind the way this offense is playing right now. Additionally, two of their best shooters, Miller Kopp and Parker Stewart, are ice cold right now. Since the beginning of the Big Ten Tournament, which has been four games, Kopp has shot 27.3%, while Stewart has shot 29.4% from the field. Saint Mary’s should win and cover, but it should be a competitive game.

March Madness Bracket