NIT Second Round: Saint Joseph’s vs California Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 22)
- The Hawks took down Colorado State in the first round.
- The Golden Bears beat UIC in the Round of 32.
- This marks the second all-time meeting between the two programs.
The final NIT second-round matchup of the March 22 slate will see the Saint Joseph’s Hawks take on the California Golden Bears. The hosts stand tall as slight favorites for the win, having a game that will conclude the NIT second round in great fashion.
How to Watch
- When: Sunday, March 22, 9 pm ET
- Where: Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, California
- How to Watch: ESPNU
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Joseph’s | -110 | +5.5 | O152 |
| California | -110 | -5.5 | U152 |
Game Preview
The Hawks (23-11) hope to continue their journey in the NIT, surprisingly beating Colorado State in the first round. It is the program’s first win in the NIT since a 71-62 victory against Rutgers in March 2006. Jaiden Glover-Toscano, Austin Williford and Derek Simpson each scored 13 in the game. Simpson added nine rebounds and three steals. Anthony Finkley scored 10, hitting a pair of treys and going 4-for-4 from the line.
The Golden Bears (22-11) are on a roll in the NIT, beating down UIC to reach the last 16. Chris Bell’s career-high 31 points with seven 3-pointers made to lead the squad to victory. He led all scorers on the night, and the Bears also had Justin Pippen (18 points) and John Camden (13) hit double figures. Pippen scored 16 points on 5-for-5 shooting in the second half and also served up six assists in the game.
Saint Joseph’s vs California Head-to-Head
The two programs are facing each other for the second time in their respective histories. Saint Joseph’s won the initial encounter by a 63-59 score in December 2003.
Saint Joseph’s vs California Predictions
The winner of this matchup will take on the victor between New Mexico and George Washington in the quarterfinals. Cal is 17-3 when holding opponents to 72 points or less. Cal is also 10-1 when holding teams to under 40 percent shooting. This presents an opportunity for the squad to deliver a strong defensive performance to get to the next round. Our betting pick here is for the Golden Bears to defend a 5.5-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick:Â California Golden Bears -5.5
