BYU Basketball opens as 4-point underdog at Saint Mary’s

BYU will be an underdog for the first time since the the Maui Invitational when they go to Moraga to face off versus St Mary’s as a 4-point underdog. Kenpom gives BYU a 37% chance to win and predicts a 72-68 score in favor of the Gaels.

St Mary’s is is 14-3 on the season and looks like a NCAA tournament team once again. They have an impressive neutral site win versus Wisconsin and played an overall solid non-conference schedule. They are 1-1 in WCC play with the loss coming last Saturday in 4 overtimes at Pacific.

Just like last season, the Gaels are led by the one-two punch of Jordan Ford and Malik Fitts. Ford averages 21.6 points on 50% shooting and 41% from three while Fitts averages 15.8 points and leads the team with 8 rebounds per game.

Saint Mary’s leads the nation with 41.4% three point shooting, but are only 124th in 2-point field goal percentage.

One storyline to watch for BYU will be the health of Yoeli Childs. Childs jammed his finger during Tuesday’s practice and is questionable to play.

BYU-St Mary’s tip off 9pm MST Thursday night on ESPN2.