Saint Joseph’s Hawks vs. Saint Louis Billikens Pick and Prediction December 31 2025
The Saint Joseph’s Hawks (8–5) travel to St. Louis to face the Saint Louis Billikens (12–1) on Wednesday at 4:00 PM ET at Chaifetz Arena, with coverage on ESPN+. This one is priced as a potential blowout, and it’s not hard to see why: Saint Louis has been shredding teams offensively, while Saint Joseph’s has been far more inconsistent — especially when the competition level rises. Make sure you know about the all the college basketball games by checking out our free college basketball picks.
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Game Snapshot
- Spread: Saint Joseph’s +20.5 (Saint Louis -20.5)
- Total: 157.5
- Matchup predictor: Saint Louis heavily favoured (mid-90s)
Saint Joseph’s: Can score enough to hang around, but efficiency is a worry
Saint Joseph’s averages 75.0 PPG while allowing 71.2 PPG, and the biggest red flag is shooting: 42% from the field as a team. That’s fine when you’re getting extra possessions and living at the foul line, but it’s a problem against elite offensive teams because you can’t afford empty trips.
They do have a major strength that gives them at least a path to staying within a big number: rebounding. The Hawks pull down 41.7 rebounds per game, which is a legitimate way to “compress” a spread — second-chance points can be a great equaliser when you’re the underdog.
Individually, Deuce Jones (15.8 PPG) is the primary engine, but his listed efficiency (under 40% FG) underscores the same issue: Saint Joe’s can produce points, but the shot-making isn’t always clean or repeatable. If they get into a half-court game where they have to hit tough shots over and over, it can go sideways quickly.
Saint Louis: Elite scoring profile and currently playing with “avalanche” potential
Saint Louis is putting up a ridiculous 94.5 points per game on 52% shooting, with 19.1 assists and 45.6 rebounds per contest. That’s not just good — that’s the kind of profile that creates blowouts because it stacks advantages: efficient shooting, strong rebounding, and ball movement that turns a small mistake into a wide-open dunk or corner three.
They’re also on a six-game win streak, and the recent results show exactly why bookmakers are comfortable hanging a number north of 20. Their last five wins include 114 points, 112 points, and 107 points — and they’ve been winning by margins that turn the second half into a formality.
Their leading scorer listed here is Dion Brown (13.2 PPG), which actually hints at depth and balance. When your leading scorer is at 13, it often means opponents can’t load up on one guy — the points come from everywhere, and that makes defensive game-planning difficult.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,976.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +2,595.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +2,320.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,627.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,451.00 |
Key Matchup Angles
1) Can Saint Joseph’s turn rebounding into real points?
Saint Joe’s rebounding edge is the one thing that can keep them alive. But it only matters if they convert those extra chances into efficient buckets — not second-chance bricks.
2) Shooting gap and “empty possession” danger
Saint Joseph’s team shooting (42%) versus Saint Louis’ (52%) is a major gap. Over 70 possessions, that kind of difference turns into a runaway — especially if Saint Louis is also winning the assist battle and keeping the game clean.
3) Total vs spread relationship
With a 157.5 total and a 20.5 spread, the market is basically implying Saint Louis can flirt with 90+ while Saint Joe’s lands in the mid-60s to low-70s. That’s consistent with both teams’ season profiles — which is why this line isn’t as crazy as it looks at first glance.
Betting Outlook
Spread lean: Saint Louis -20.5
It’s a big number, but Saint Louis has been the kind of team that covers big spreads because they keep scoring. They don’t need a perfect defensive night — their offence creates separation on its own.
Total lean: Over 157.5 (slight)
Saint Louis can carry an over by themselves, and Saint Joseph’s rebounding gives them enough extra possessions to contribute. The one concern is blowout tempo: if this is 20+ by the middle of the second half, late-game pace can dip.
Pick and Prediction
Best Bet: Saint Louis -20.5
Saint Louis is simply operating at a different offensive level right now, and Saint Joseph’s shooting efficiency is a tough fit against a team that can put up 90 without blinking. The Hawks may battle on the glass and have a few good stretches, but the cumulative scoring pressure from Saint Louis should create a margin that keeps growing.
Projected Final Score: Saint Louis 95, Saint Joseph’s 71
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