Saint Louis Billikens vs Wichita State Shockers Point Spread Picks

The Hall of Fame Classic at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Saint Louis center Robbie Avila (16 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg) suffered a right ankle sprain in the season opener and has missed the last two games. St. Louis is on a 7-15-1 ATS run. Wichita State has won all four games, averaging 82.3 points, with four players scoring in double figures. Guard Harlond Beverly ranks first in the AAC and 31st nationally in steals per game (2.75). The team is 12th nationally in free throws made per game (21.8), returning three starters and three of its top five scorers. Wichita State has won the last six meetings against St. Louis, including an 88-69 win and covers a year ago, shooting 48.5% while winning the rebounding battle 51-30. Play Wichita State.

St. Louis is coming off a season where the offense was terrible, finishing #328 in points per game. They have lost two in a row scoring 57 and 46 points. St. Louis is on a 6-0 run UNDER the total, as well as 20-8-1 UNDER in non-conference games. Into town limps Wichita State, a talented team decimated by injuries. They do play good defense for Gregg Marshall on a 2-1 run UNDER the total, but their talent and depth on offense have taken huge hits. Star point guard Fred VanVleet is hobbled by a hamstring, backup Landry Shamet had a stress fracture in his left foot that landed him on crutches and forward Anton Grady may never play the game again after a frightening injury during a tournament in Florida. VanVleet dealt with an ankle injury at the start of the season before the hamstring issue cropped up. He missed the entire Advocare Invitational in Florida -- the Shockers lost all three games -- and was still hobbled in practice this week. His status for Saturday’s game at Saint Louis remains in question. St. Louis is home and the UNDER is 34-15-2 the in the Billikens last 51 Saturday games and this shapes up as a slow paced, defensive duel. Take the UNDER.

Saint Louis is very good, unbeaten on the road with a strong defense. Saint Louis finished #2 nationally last year with an 11-1 road record. Head Coach Jim Crews stresses defense and Saint Louis is 60-16 in his three seasons. This is a rematch of last year's thriller against Wichita State. Wichita outscored Saint Louis 19-7 down the stretch to post a 70-65 victory in a close one. The Billikens are 3-0 against Missouri Valley Conference teams this season. Saint Louis defeated Southern Illinois at home, Indiana State on the road and Bradley at a neutral site already this season. This will be another slow, defensive game, so grab the big dog and play St. Louis.