Game Information
Saint Louis Billikens (9-1) vs Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (3-7)
Time: 7pm CT Wednesday
How to watch: ESPN+
DraftKings Odds
Spread: SLU -23.5
Total: 155.5
KenPom Projection
SLU 86, Bethune-Cookman 65
Billikens Back In Action
The Saint Louis University Billikens resume their six-game homestand on Wednesday night against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.
SLU pounded Central Michigan and posted a quality win against San Francisco in the first two games of this home stretch. After Wednesday’s matchup, the Billikens will host New Hampshire and Principia before closing out the homestand with their Atlantic 10 opener against Saint Joseph’s on New Year’s Eve.
SLU Looking Great
The Billikens have been one of the premier mid-major teams in the country so far this season, as they sit #28 in the NET rankings as of Tuesday night. Only Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s are ranked higher among non-Power 5 schools.
The metrics are loving SLU, and the home fans are as well. The Bills have won 10 straight games on their home floor dating back to last season. Overall, the 9-1 Billikens are off to their best start since the 2011-2012 team that started 12-1 and went to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Wildcats Poor Defensively
Area basketball fans may have recent familiarity with Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats’ last game came this past Sunday at Mizzou, as the Tigers took their measure 82-60.
Bethune-Cookman has given up some big point totals this season - 95 to Auburn, 101 to Miami (FL), 91 to Dayton, and 100 to Indiana.
My Pick
I’m not overthinking this. I’m very confident that SLU is a better team than Missouri this season. The Tigers just beat Bethune-Cookman by 22 points, so I think the Bills can better that result.
Miami and Indiana drilled Bethune-Cookman by 40+ points, and I would not be stunned to see SLU win this one by 30 or more. The Billikens look great in the metrics this season, and they’re going to want to keep it that way by blowing out overmatched opponents like the Wildcats.
Pick: SLU -23.5 at -108 on DraftKings (bet to -24.5)
Eric Sontag hosts Domesticated Gamblers every Wednesday night on the STL Sports Central YouTube channel. Follow him on X @GamblingDads, and click here for his daily picks on all of our St. Louis area sports teams. Get Eric's picks for all sports by following him in the Action Network app with the username "esontag". Disclaimer