The Sacred Heart Pioneers (5-7) and Saint Joseph’s Hawks (4-6) tangle Monday in a pre-holiday non-conference game in Philadelphia. The opening tip at Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena will be at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Sacred Heart vs. Saint Joseph’s odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Sacred Heart is 0-4 straight-up and 1-3 against the spread (ATS) in Dec. The up-tempo Pioneers have scuffled their way to a 37.4% mark from the floor over that 4-game skid. SHU is playing its 4th consecutive game on the road where it is thus far 3-5 this season.
The Hawks return to their home hardwood after a hard-fought 71-64 setback as 12-point underdogs against Villanova Saturday. Saint Joseph’s led the Wildcats at halftime and were down just 4 with fewer than 4 minutes remaining. SJU is 1-3 straight up over its last 4, but the Hawks have won back-to-back games ATS.
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Sacred Heart at Saint Joseph’s odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Sacred Heart +340 (bet $100 to win $340) | Saint Joseph’s -475 (bet $475 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Sacred Heart +9.5 (-115) | Saint Joseph’s -9.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 151.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Sacred Heart at Saint Joseph’s picks and predictions
Prediction
Saint Joseph’s 83, Sacred Heart 71
Moneyline
PASS. The ATS play on SJU is solid.
Against the spread
Sacred Heart is 1-2 ATS in its last 3 games and may be up against some road fatigue (4th straight road game) and rust (1st game in a week) in this match-up against a more battle-tested Saint Joseph’s five which is 3-1 ATS across its last 4 at home.
Results vs. expectations in comparable match-ups so far this season point to better performances for the Hawks. SJU’s defense and ability to get to the free-throw line (5 games with 25 or more free throws this season) stand out as difference makers, and the home five also is more apt to get a run or 2 fueled by 3-pointers.
SAINT JOSEPH’S -9.5 (-105) is worth a partial-unit play.
Over/Under
The Over is 6-2 in the Pioneers’ last 8 games following an ATS loss.
A fast pace is expected, but this number is mostly reflecting the possibility of a 160-plus. PASS on the current tag, but an Over 150 or 150.5 would be enticing enough to warrant some partial-unit action.
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