The Manhattan Jaspers (4-7, 2-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic) and Saint Peter’s Peacocks (6-6, 1-2) tangle Friday in Jersey City, N.J. Tip at the Yanitelli Center will be at 2 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Manhattan vs. St. Peter’s odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Manhattan is coming off a 10-day layoff. The Jaspers snapped a 4-game losing streak in their last game — an 80-69 win over Marist on Dec. 19 as a +3.5 underdog. The MU defense has struggled, allowing 73.5 points per game (10th of 11 teams in the MAAC).
The Peacocks are returning to the hardwood after a week off. Saint Peter’s was a straight-up loser at Maryland on Dec. 22 as a 22.5-point underdog 75-45. SPU shot just 30.4% from the floor against the Terrapins, and those struggles are part of a larger trend. The Peacocks are 2-4, shooting just 34.6% from the field, in their last 6 games.
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Manhattan at St. Peter’s odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 120:01 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Off the board
- Against the spread (ATS): Manhattan +5.5 (+110) | Saint Peter’s -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 131.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Manhattan at St. Peter’s picks and predictions
Prediction
St. Peter’s 70, Manhattan 64
Moneyline
Not available.
Against the spread
The Peacocks are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 home games.
Saint Peter’s has a youthful roster, and its minutes have been widely dispersed thus far. A week off may well have been what SPU shooters needed for a mid-season correction. Manhattan’s defense and a home date present a golden opportunity to close out the calendar year on a high note.
In this series, the favorite is 19-7 ATS in the last 26 meetings. SAINT PETER’S -5.5 (-110) is the value play.
Over/Under
The match-up presents a mid-to-slow profile. But some shooting regression (helping SPU’s offense) and the likelihood of some transition upside for MU and 2nd-chance strength for SPU make the Over worth a watch.
BET OVER 131.5 (-110).
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