Davidson vs. Saint Joseph's Pick and Prediction for Saturday January 3 2026
Atlantic 10 play continues in Philadelphia as the Saint Joseph's Hawks host the Davidson Wildcats at Hagan Arena. Both teams are hungry for their first conference win after dropping their A-10 openers earlier this week.
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The game features two teams with identical conference records (0-1) but contrasting styles. Saint Joseph's (8-6) enters as a slight 1.5-point home underdog, while Davidson (8-5) is looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Getting the best college basketball picks is easy to do if you check out our free college basketball picks.
Wildcats leaning on elite bench depth
Despite recent losses to Duquesne and No. 17 Kansas, Davidson remains one of the most disciplined teams in the country. They lead the Atlantic 10 in ball security, averaging only 10.5 turnovers per game, and rank 13th nationally in bench scoring (37.8 PPG).
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The offense is uniquely balanced, led by sophomore Roberts Blums, who averages 10.5 PPG despite not starting a single game this season. Junior guard Sam Brown is coming off a season-high 23 points against Duquesne and will be a focal point on the perimeter. The Wildcats also boast the league's most accurate three-point shooter in Hunter Adam, who is hitting a blistering 48.9% from deep.
Davidson’s primary struggle has been on the glass, where they rank last in the A-10 in rebounding. They will need Ian Platteeuw and Josh Scovens to hold their own against a physical St. Joe's frontcourt to prevent second-chance opportunities.
Hawks banking on home-court rebounding edge
Saint Joseph's returns home following a tough 102-79 loss at Saint Louis. While the score was lopsided, the Hawks showed signs of life in their ball security, committing a season-low six turnovers. At home, they have been a much different team, holding a 6-1 record at Hagan Arena.
The Hawks’ strength lies in their collective rebounding. They rank 35th nationally with 41.0 boards per game, led by a committee that includes Dasear Haskins (5.9 RPG) and Derek Simpson (5.6 RPG). Jaiden Glover-Toscano provides the primary scoring punch at 15.7 PPG, while redshirt freshman Khaafiq Myers has stepped up recently in the wake of backcourt injuries, averaging 12.3 points over his last three games.
Defensively, the Hawks will rely on 6'10" graduate student Justice Ajogbor to anchor the paint. His ability to alter shots will be crucial against a Davidson team that excels at moving the ball and finding open cutters.
Spread pick for Davidson vs. Saint Joseph's
- Saint Joseph's +1.5 (-110)
Davidson has historically dominated this series, but the Hawks have won the last two meetings and are a formidable force in Philadelphia. The Wildcats are 1-1 on the road this season and have struggled to close out tight games recently, evidenced by their double-overtime loss to Duquesne. Given the Hawks' significant advantage on the boards and Davidson’s three-game slide, the home underdog is the play here.
Total pick for Davidson vs. Saint Joseph's
- Under 138.5 (-105)
While both teams have capable scorers, Davidson’s slow, disciplined pace (fewest turnovers in the A-10) typically keeps their games from becoming track meets. St. Joe's has stayed under the total in four of their last five home games, and Davidson has trended toward the under in 11 of their last 18. Expect a physical, defensive-minded conference battle that stays just below the 138.5 mark.
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