The Washington Huskies and the Saint Mary’s Gaels meet Thursday in college basketball action from Anaheim Convention Center. Washington enters this one at 4-1 so far this year. The Huskies beat Fresno State in their last outing. As for Saint Mary’s, they’re 6-0 and took out Vanderbilt in their Wednesday matchup. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Washington got off to a 3-0 start in their 2022-23 campaign. The Huskies took out Weber State 69-52 in the opener, then beat North Florida and Utah Tech. Game four was Washington’s first loss, 73-64 versus California Baptist.
Washington took on Fresno State in their Wednesday matchup. The Huskies trailed 28-27 after one half but surged in the second for a 62-57 win. Keion Brooks led the team with 16 points and five rebounds.
Over on the Saint Mary’s side, they beat Oral Roberts 78-70 in their opener, then took out Vermont 79-53, North Texas 63-33 and Southern U 72-54. the Gaels kept it going Saturday with a win over Hofstra 76-48.
In Wednesday’s matchup versus Vanderbilt, the Gaels were up 35-27 by the break. Saint Mary’s posted 40 points from there in a 75-65 win.
PICK: I’m probably going to try Saint Mary’s. The Gaels shot a nice 56.9 percent from the floor in the win over Vanderbilt on Wednesday. However, Saint Mary’s was out-rebounded 33-30 and didn’t shoot very well from the line (56 percent) or 3-point range (27.3 percent).
As for Washington, they shot a tepid 37.9 percent from the floor and 21.7 percent (5-of-23) from 3-point range in the loss to Fresno State on Wednesday. The Huskies lost the rebounding battle 44-33 but had just 14 turnovers to the Bulldogs’ 21. If Washington can’t get shots falling early I don’t think they’ll keep the pace for long in this one.