<p>Many of the best games on the Feast Week schedule feature top teams that could be top seeds in this season’s NCAA Tournament. But one of the most notable matchups this week is between two programs hoping to be a part of the March Madness field for the first time in a while. And with limited opportunities to impress against quality opposition, today’s Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara (7:00 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network) represents a big opportunity for both teams to bag a resume-boosting win.</p>
<p>The battle between the Billikens (5-0) and Broncos (6-0) is the first semifinal of the Acrisure Invitational, with the winner advancing to face the winner of Minnesota vs. Stanford (9:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network).</p>
<p>Saint Louis is looking to be in the March Madness field for the first time since 2019, and they head into today’s matchup vs. Santa Clara having opened the season with five consecutive double-digit wins, all at home, including a 14-point win over Grand Canyon.</p>
<p>The Broncos, meanwhile, are looking to be in the tournament for the first time since 1996, and they have already bagged some solid wins over McNeese (by 12 at home), Xavier (by 19 on the road), and Nevada (by 15 at home).</p>
<p>Neither team is projected to face many other teams of a similar or superior caliber from this point, so this could be a very important game for both teams come Selection Sunday if they end up around the bubble.</p>
<p>Who will pick up a pivotal victory at Acrisure Arena? Read on for our Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara prediction and picks, plus the best betting odds from <a href="/best-online-sportsbooks/">top online sportsbooks</a> such as <a href="https://affiliates.bettingnews.com/register/betonline/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BetOnline</a>.</p>
<h2><a href="https://affiliates.bettingnews.com/register/betonline" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara Odds</a></h2>
<div class="su-table su-table-responsive su-table-alternate">
<table class="table table-bordered">
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Team</th>
<th>Spread</th>
<th>Moneyline</th>
<th>Over/Under</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Saint Louis</th>
<td>-1.5 (-112)</td>
<td>n/a</td>
<td>Over 160.5 (-110)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th scope="row">Santa Clara</th>
<td>+1.5 (-108)</td>
<td>n/a</td>
<td>Under 160.5 (-110)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<h2>Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara Prediction and Best Bets</h2>
<h3>Prediction: Santa Clara to win</h3>
<p>Last season’s Saint Louis team did not have the results or performances that coach Josh Schertz would have hoped for from his first season with the Billikens, but there’s reason for an optimistic outlook for this season based on how it has started.</p>
<p>Schertz’s last couple of Indiana State teams were ranked in the top 35 in average possession length and in the top 40 in adjusted tempo, but his first Saint Louis team ranked only 97<sup>th</sup> in average offensive possession length and 162<sup>nd</sup> in adjusted tempo.</p>
<p>As the season progresses, these numbers may change, but entering this matchup, the Billikens sit at the top of the charts in average offensive possession length (13.3 seconds) and in the top 20 in adjusted tempo while averaging 95.6 points per game.</p>
<p>Their lowest output to date is 78 points, which was still enough for a 14-point win over Grand Canyon.</p>
<p>But can Saint Louis keep this up vs. Santa Clara? The Broncos have allowed 70+ points just once (in a 98-83 win over Nevada), and teams are shooting just 27.8% from three and 36.9% overall from the field against them.</p>
<p>At the same time, Santa Clara has scored at least 79 points in every game but a 64-55 win over Idaho State, which is also their only single-digit win thus far.</p>
<p>Saint Louis, who has 10 players averaging at least 16.2 minutes per game (and none averaging more than 24.4) and at least 5.8 PPG (eight of whom average at least 9.2 PPG), brings a lot to the table offensively.</p>
<p>That is hard to ignore, but the Broncos aren’t light on depth either. And with the wins they have on the board already, I feel more inclined to lean their way in a matchup that shapes up as a toss-up.</p>
<h3>Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara Best Bets</h3>
<h4><a href="https://affiliates.bettingnews.com/register/betonline/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Santa Clara +1.5 (-108 at BetOnline)</a></h4>
<h4><a href="https://affiliates.bettingnews.com/register/luckyrebel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saint Louis/Santa Clara Over 159.5 (-113 at Lucky Rebel)</a></h4>
<p>Even if the Billikens try to play their preferred style and make this a game of first to 85 wins, I feel confident about the Broncos&#8217; ability to handle Saint Louis&#8217;s best punch. Free throw shooting is a potential point of concern if this one is close, as Santa Clara is shooting just 63.5% from the stripe. At the other end of the spectrum is Saint Louis, who is shooting 83.2% from the foul line, which is one of the best percentages in the country.</p>
<p>Even with that in mind, I like what I have seen from the Broncos thus far and feel confident in backing them to cover this small spread and win outright, as well as the over.</p>
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<p>College basketball is one of the most popular sports to bet on in the U.S. Every season, Betting News covers it extensively. In addition to predictions and expert picks for matchups such as Saint Louis vs. Santa Clara, you can check out our aggregated <a href="/ncaab/picks/">college basketball picks</a>, compare <a href="/ncaab/odds/">NCAA basketball odds</a> from <a href="https://affiliates.bettingnews.com/register/betonline/" target="_blank" rel="noopener sponsored">BetOnline</a> and other <a href="/best-online-sportsbooks/march-madness/">March Madness betting sites</a>, and <a href="/sports-betting-guides/college-basketball-betting-guide/">learn how to bet on college basketball</a> through the content we have on the site.</p>
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