Don’t look now, but Dayton and Saint Louis are trending in opposite directions. The Flyers have fallen back down to earth in the past week after suffering rare back-to-back defeats. Meanwhile, the Billikens suddenly have a win streak going after ending a recent skid. Will those trends continue to hold true as the two teams meet on Tuesday?
Read on below for our preview of this Atlantic 10 matchup. And for more top college hoops action, check out our preview of Michigan State vs. Ohio State. and Kansas vs. Baylor.
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Dayton Flyers vs. Saint Louis Billikens Preview
Where: Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis
When: Tuesday, February 23, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Dayton Flyers at Saint Louis Billikens – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: CBSSN
Betting on the Dayton Flyers (21-5, 11-3 Atlantic 10)
So much for meeting expectations. After rising up to a season-high 15th in the AP Poll, Dayton promptly dropped consecutive games last week at St. Joe’s (79-70) and at home against St. Bonaventure (79-72) to fall out of the AP’s Top 25 altogether. It’s the first time in 77 games that Dayton has had back-to-back losses.
The continued absence of Kendall Pollard has also hurt. The junior forward, who’s third in the team with 11 PPG this season, is set to miss his fourth straight game due to a knee injury. Dayton is just 1-3 in the four games he’s missed thus far this season.
But while the shorthanded Flyers couldn’t edge out two very good teams in St. Joe’s and St. Bonaventure – two teams who are a combined 21-7 in conference play – they should be able to put the clamps on a St. Louis team that has struggled putting up points this season.
Dayton is giving up just 64.1 points per game in conference play – tops in the Atlantic 10 – and limited the Billikens to a measly 37 points in their first meeting at home. Dayton is 3-1 SU and ATS in its last four meetings against Saint Louis.
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Betting on the Saint Louis Billikens (10-16, 5-9 Atlantic 10)
Saint Louis is finally on the good kind of streak. After losing five in a row, the Billikens have now won two-straight games by beating George Mason (79-77 in OT) and Fordham (76-68).
Freshman Jermaine Bishop has been instrumental in the Billikens’ two wins. He had 20 points, six rebounds, and six assists against GMU, and added 17 to Mike Crawford’s team-high 21 points against Fordham.
Bishop has scored 16 or more points in four of his last five games, and will be eager to make up for his four-point, 1-of-9 shooting performance in his first meeting with Dayton.
The Billikens were blown out by 34 in Dayton, so look for them to be extra motivated to get back at the fumbling Flyers. Saint Louis should be best-equipped to put up a fight on its own home court. Seven of the Billikens’ 10 wins this season have come at the Chaifetz Arena.
The Billikens’ terrific three-point defense (32 percent, fourth-best in the conference) should also help keep the Flyers cold from three.
Writer’s Prediction
Dayton downs Saint Louis by double-digits.
