The NCAA Tournament continues with a closely matched Round of 64 game between the Saint Louis Billikens and the Georgia Bulldogs. The two programs represent different conferences, with Saint Louis coming from the Atlantic 10 and Georgia from the SEC.
Georgia enters the game with a 22–10 record and hopes to move past the disappointment of last season’s tournament loss. Saint Louis arrives with a strong season record and an at-large bid after falling just short in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
With the teams separated by only a small margin in betting odds, this matchup is expected to be one of the more competitive games in the first round.
Match Details
| Match | Saint Louis vs Georgia |
|---|---|
| Tournament | NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament 2026 |
| Round | Round of 64 |
| Date | March 19, 2026 |
| Time | 9:45 PM ET |
| Venue | KeyBank Center, Buffalo |
| TV Channel | CBS |
The winner of this game could potentially face top-seeded Michigan in the second round, adding further importance to this opening-round clash.
Team Records and Season Results
| Team | Record | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Louis Billikens | 26–7 | Atlantic 10 |
| Georgia Bulldogs | 22–10 | SEC |
Saint Louis finished tied for first in the Atlantic 10 standings alongside VCU. However, the Billikens were eliminated in the conference tournament semifinals after a narrow 70–69 loss to Dayton.
Georgia finished the regular season strongly, winning five of its final six games before being upset by Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament.
Betting Odds and Lines
| Category | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Georgia -2.5 |
| Saint Louis Spread | +2.5 |
| Over/Under | 167.5 |
| Moneyline | Georgia -140 / Saint Louis +116 |
The Bulldogs enter as slight favorites, reflecting how closely matched the teams appear heading into the tournament.
Saint Louis Offensive Strength
Saint Louis has been one of the most efficient shooting teams in the country this season. The Billikens rely heavily on spacing the floor and shooting from long range.
| Saint Louis Offensive Stats | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Offensive Efficiency Rank | Top 60 |
| 3-Point Percentage | 40.5% |
| Effective Field Goal % | 59.7% |
Their three-point shooting ability has been particularly impressive, ranking second nationally in accuracy from beyond the arc.
Robbie Avila plays a central role in the offense and often acts as the team’s playmaking hub in the frontcourt.
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Georgia Offensive Profile
Georgia brings a balanced offensive attack and improved efficiency compared to previous seasons.
| Georgia Offensive Stats | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Offensive Efficiency Rank | Top 20 |
| 3-Point Percentage | Around 34% |
| Effective Field Goal % Rank | 55th |
The Bulldogs are led by dynamic guards who can create scoring opportunities and push the tempo of the game.
| Key Georgia Players | Role |
|---|---|
| Jeremiah Wilkinson | Primary scorer |
| Marcus Millender | Playmaking guard |
| Kanon Catchings | Shooting forward |
These players provide scoring from multiple positions and allow Georgia to stretch defenses.
Key Tactical Matchup
The matchup could be decided by how each team handles pressure and ball security.
Saint Louis has struggled recently with turnovers, an area where Georgia may try to apply aggressive defensive pressure. The Bulldogs generate turnovers at a strong rate and could use that strategy to disrupt the Billikens’ offense.
However, Georgia’s defense has shown weaknesses in other areas, including rebounding and defensive efficiency.
| Defensive Comparison | Saint Louis | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Efficiency | Strong perimeter defense | Mid-level efficiency |
| Turnover Pressure | Moderate | Strong |
| Rebounding | Average | Weak area |
If Saint Louis can maintain ball control and continue its strong shooting from deep, the Billikens could remain competitive throughout the game.
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Betting Trends
| Trend | Record |
|---|---|
| Saint Louis ATS Record | 17–15 |
| Georgia ATS Record | 16–16 |
| Saint Louis Recent ATS | 1–5 in last six |
| Georgia Recent ATS | 5–2 in last seven |
Georgia enters the game with stronger recent betting momentum.
Saint Louis vs Georgia Prediction
This Round of 64 matchup is expected to be high scoring given the offensive capabilities of both teams.
Saint Louis has elite shooting numbers and strong offensive efficiency, but recent struggles with turnovers and consistency could be a concern.
Georgia’s defensive pressure and balanced scoring give the Bulldogs a slight advantage in what should be a tight contest.
| Prediction Category | Pick |
|---|---|
| Game Winner | Georgia |
| Spread Pick | Georgia -2.5 |
| Expected Total | Around 167 points |
If Georgia successfully forces turnovers and controls the pace of the game, the Bulldogs should have a strong chance of advancing to the next round of the NCAA Tournament.
