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Indiana vs Saint Mary’s Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions

Hoosiers Earn Spot After Winning First Four Matchup

Saint Mary’s Can Escape Gonzaga’s Shadow

Indiana has one of the richest histories in college basketball with five national titles and eight Final Four appearances, but the Hoosiers have won back-to-back NCAA Tournament games just three times in their last eight appearances in the March Madness bracket.

Saint Mary’s has as many wins (nine) in postseason national tournaments as Indiana since 2010.

NCAA tournament: Indiana vs Saint Mary’s Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions
NCAA tournament: Indiana vs Saint Mary’s Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds, Picks & Predictions

The Hoosiers have played in seven straight games decided by single digits, winning four of those, while just three of the Gaels’ last eight games have been determined by less than 10 points. Both teams have wins over top-five ranked teams this season, with Indiana upsetting No. 4 Purdue and Saint Mary’s taking down top-ranked Gonzaga.

Saint Mary’s is 10-7 in Quad 1 or Quad 2 games compared to an 8-12 mark for Indiana in those contests, which is a reason why many March Madness predictions have the Gaels advancing.

Saint Mary’s (+12500) has better national championship odds than Indiana (+25000).

Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and March Madness Odds for Indiana vs. Saint Mary’s. We’ve plenty of predictions for you to consider.

Indiana’s Jackson-Davis Saving Best for Last

With three first-team Associated Press All-Americans coming out of the Big Ten, it would be easy to overlook Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis.

However, there is no way to understate what the Indiana junior forward did in Tuesday’s First Four win over Wyoming.

Jackson-Davis had 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting and nine rebounds in the eight-point victory as the Hoosiers picked up their first NCAA Tournament win since 2016.

— Indiana Basketball (@IndianaMBB) March 16, 2022

Jackson-Davis had four points after a Hunter Maldonado four-point play pulled Wyoming within six points with 1:34 to play to set up the matchup with Saint Mary’s.

Jackson-Davis has scored in double figures in 12 straight games and in an era where frontcourt players can often be found lurking around the 3-point line, he is a throwback who does his damage in the paint. He has only three 3-point attempts in 93 games at Indiana over the last three seasons. He has made more than 60 percent of his shots in six of his last nine games and, in four postseason games, he is averaging 26.3 points on 66 percent shooting.

Indiana has covered against the Las Vegas odds in the last five games.

Saint Mary’s Gaels Peaking

Saint Mary’s is better known for being one of the top defensive teams in the country, ranking 12th nationally in scoring defense, but the Gaels’ offense is coming to life at the perfect time.

In its last three games, including an upset of top-ranked Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s is shooting 47 percent from the field. Two of those three games have come against national championship favorite Gonzaga – and what better way is there to prepare to be a part of the March Madness bracket than meeting the top team in the country?

Tommy Kuhse is averaging 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists over those three games, Logan Johnson is contributing 15 points and 6.o rebounds while Matthias Tass is averaging 14.3 points on 61 percent shooting over that stretch.

Saint Mary’s is 4-3-1 against the college basketball spreads in its last eight games.

Indiana vs Saint Mary’s Head-to-Head

Indiana won its lone matchup with Saint Mary’s, but it won’t be of much help for those who bet online since it took place in 1957 with the Hoosiers winning 79-66.

Indiana vs Saint Mary’s Game Information

  • Game: Indiana (21-13) vs. Saint Mary’s (25-7)
  • Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
  • Day/Time: Thursday, 7:20 p.m. ET
  • Live stream: TBS.com
  • 2022 March Madness bracket

Indiana vs Saint Mary’s Betting Lines

Indiana vs Saint Mary’s Prediction

This has the potential to be a defensive slugfest as Indiana ranks in the top 20 nationally in field goal percentage defense while Saint Mary’s is among the national leaders in scoring defense. It is no surprise that the March Madness odds have a low total of 126½ for this game.

Indiana will need to shoot better from the perimeter after going 2 for 13 from 3-point range in the play-in win against Wyoming.

There was a time when it would be unthinkable to pick Indiana to lose against a mid-major, but four of the Hoosiers’ last 11 losses in the NCAA Tournament came from teams outside of the Power-5 conferences.

Pick: Saint Mary’s Gaels -3

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