The Seattle Redhawks, hosting the Saint Mary's Gaels at Climate Pledge Arena, are in dire need of a quality win to bolster their tournament resume, having gone 2-3 over their last five games, with an average score of 65.2 points per game, while allowing 67.8 points per game, resulting in being outscored by 2.6 points per game. This trend is concerning, especially considering their recent losses to Santa Clara, Portland, and Washington State, where they failed to score more than 60 points in two of those games. Seattle U's recent form has been marked by inconsistency, with their last five games featuring a mix of wins and losses, including a narrow 83-81 victory over Pepperdine. In contrast, the Saint Mary's Gaels have been on a tear, averaging 78.2 points per game over their last five, while allowing just 61.6 points per game, outscoring their opponents by an impressive 16.6 points per game. This disparity in scoring is a significant concern for Seattle U, as they struggle to keep up with the Gaels' high-powered offense.
The Gaels' recent success can be attributed to their balanced attack, with multiple players contributing to their scoring efforts. Over their last five games, they have scored at least 72 points in four of those contests, with their lone loss coming against Gonzaga, where they still managed to score 65 points. This level of consistency is a reflection of the Gaels' depth and ability to adapt to different defensive schemes. On the other hand, Seattle U has struggled to find consistency on offense, with their scoring output fluctuating wildly over their last five games. They have scored as few as 53 points against Portland and as many as 83 points against Pepperdine, highlighting their inability to sustain a high level of scoring over an extended period.
Saint Mary's Gaels Scoring Machine
Key Matchups
The Gaels' offense is led by a talented core of players, including their leading scorer, who has been on a hot streak, averaging 22.5 points per game over the last five contests. This player's ability to score from both inside and outside the arc has made them a nightmare to defend, and Seattle U must find a way to slow them down if they hope to pull off the upset. Additionally, the Gaels' point guard has been playing exceptional basketball, averaging 7.5 assists per game over the last five, while also contributing 12.8 points per game. This duo's ability to create scoring opportunities for themselves and their teammates has been a key factor in the Gaels' recent success. In contrast, Seattle U's leading scorer has struggled to find consistency, averaging just 15.6 points per game over the last five, while also turning the ball over 3.2 times per game. This lack of consistency has hindered Seattle U's ability to sustain long scoring runs, making it difficult for them to keep up with the Gaels' high-powered offense.
As the game approaches, it's clear that the Gaels have the upper hand, with their high-powered offense and stout defense making them a formidable opponent. The CHD Scout prediction has the Gaels winning by 12.1 points, with a 15.5% win probability for Seattle U.
CHD Scout Prediction
Saint Mary's
76
Seattle U
64
This prediction is largely due to the Gaels' ability to outscore their opponents by an average of 16.6 points per game over their last five, while Seattle U has been outscored by an average of 2.6 points per game over the same period. The Gaels' offense has been nearly unstoppable, with their ability to score from both inside and outside the arc making them a difficult team to defend. Additionally, their defense has been exceptional, allowing just 61.6 points per game over their last five, which is a significant concern for Seattle U's struggling offense. The Gaels' ability to limit their opponents' scoring opportunities has been a key factor in their recent success, and Seattle U must find a way to overcome this if they hope to pull off the upset.
The implications of this game are significant, particularly for Seattle U, who is in desperate need of a quality win to bolster their tournament resume. A win over the Gaels would be a huge boost to their resume, potentially moving them up in the NET rankings and improving their chances of making the tournament. On the other hand, a loss would be a significant setback, potentially dropping them out of consideration for an at-large bid. For the Gaels, a win would solidify their position as a top-4 seed, while a loss would potentially drop them down to a 5-seed or lower.
Tournament Stakes
A win for Seattle U would be a significant resume-booster, potentially moving them into the top 100 in the NET rankings and giving them a legitimate chance at an at-large bid. Conversely, a loss would likely drop them out of consideration, making it difficult for them to recover in time for the tournament. For the Gaels, a win would cement their position as a top-4 seed, giving them a favorable draw in the tournament and a strong chance of making a deep run. A loss, on the other hand, would potentially drop them down to a 5-seed or lower, making their path to the Final Four much more difficult. The stakes are high, and both teams will be giving it their all in what promises to be an intense and competitive matchup.
In terms of recent form, the Gaels have been on a tear, winning four of their last five games, with their lone loss coming against Gonzaga. This level of consistency is a reflection of the Gaels' depth and ability to adapt to different defensive schemes. On the other hand, Seattle U has struggled to find consistency, with their last five games featuring a mix of wins and losses. This lack of consistency has hindered Seattle U's ability to sustain long scoring runs, making it difficult for them to keep up with the Gaels' high-powered offense. The Gaels' ability to score from both inside and outside the arc has made them a difficult team to defend, and Seattle U must find a way to slow them down if they hope to pull off the upset. With the Gaels averaging 78.2 points per game over their last five, and Seattle U allowing 67.8 points per game over the same period, it's clear that the Gaels have the upper hand in this matchup. The question is, can Seattle U find a way to slow down the Gaels' offense and pull off the upset, or will the Gaels' high-powered attack prove too much for them to handle?