Saint Louis vs Minnesota Odds and Picks

• Saint Louis Billikens puts a perfect 6-0 SU record on the line as they visit Minnesota as betting favorites
• Golden Gophers enter rare date with Saint Louis on the rebound in the wake of their first loss of the season
• We’ve got you covered with all the odds and trends ahead of Sunday night’s matchup at Williams Arena

The Saint Louis Billikens will be aiming to extend their season-opening win streak to seven games when they visit the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Sunday night as 3.5-point favorites. The Billikens have also covered in each of their first six contests, capped by Thursday’s 80-69 win over NC State as 5-point chalk.

The Golden Gophers are pegged as underdogs in a second straight outing after suffering their first defeat of the season earlier this week, a 92-65 road loss to No. 13 Illinois.

Here’s a look at the odds and trends ahead of Sunday night’s matchup at Williams Arena.

Saint Louis Billikens vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Odds

Odds taken at FanDuel on 12/19/2020.

Billikens On a Roll

Fourth-place finishers in the Atlantic 10 standings last season, the Billikens have stormed out of the gate this season. Saint Louis ranks 22nd in the nation with 87.8 points per game, powering a 5-1 run for the OVER in totals betting, and has covered as double-digit chalk on three occasions.

The team also sports a solid No. 26 rating in adjusted offensive efficiency at KenPom, and has backed that up with a defense that has held opponents to under 70 points in five of their six outings.

Saint Louis now 6-0 & they look the part. The Billikens turned up their defense in the second half. No Cam Hayes & DJ Funderburke for State. Jordan Goodwin 16-14. Hasahn French 13 rbs. Javonte Perkins w/20, Yuri Collins w/ 17 & Gibson Jimerson with 12. @SaintLouisMBB @atlantic10 pic.twitter.com/LBjGICXmrv

— Paul Biancardi (@PaulBiancardi) December 18, 2020

The Billikens offensive production has come from up and down the lineup. Senior guard Javonte Perkins led the way with 20 points and five rebounds in this week’s win over NC State, and is tops on the squad with 19.5 points per game. Saint Louis shooters have also been accurate from beyond the arc, with their .446 three-point field goal percentage currently tops in the nation among teams that have played five or more games.

However, the Billikens have work to do to improve on last season’s shaky road record. The team posted outright wins in four of their final road contests, but covered in consecutive games just once while going 7-11 ATS in their final 18 away dates.

Golden Gophers Coming Off Dismal First Defeat

Little history exists between these two teams. Minnesota has earned the win in two of three previous meetings, including a 62-52 road win in their most recent matchup at the 2003 NIT. However, they will need a far better effort than what they displayed in this week’s loss to the Fighting Illini as 8.5-point underdogs.

The Gophers shot a season-low 27.5% from the field, including a meagre 23% while spotting Illinois an early double-digit lead.

Marcus Carr on facing No. 3-ranked Iowa after tonight's loss at Illinois:

"We play in the best league in college basketball, so night and night out we’re going to have tough opponents. We’re going to prepare like we always do and be up for the challenge." #Gophers

— Jeff Wald (@JeffWaldFox9) December 16, 2020

Minnesota has also been a betting disappointment while favored. The Gophers had little difficult covering as big favorites against lightweights UMKC and Green Bay, but has otherwise come up short, going 0-4-1 ATS in their other five outings. Marcus Carr has cooled off after averaging 26 or more points in the first three games of the season. But the junior guard was one of only two Gophers in the double digits vs Illinois, leading the way with 16 points.

Now listed at No. 51 in KenPom’s ratings, the Golden Gophers need a big effort to regain momentum before their Big Ten conference schedule opens with a visit from Iowa on Christmas Day. Unbeaten in their past seven home dates, this team also did a good job at containing opposing shooters during a 1-4 SU home slide late last season, and has not allowed more than 70 points in 12 of 16 home dates.

With the Billikens getting it down at both ends of the court during a red-hot start, they are likely to be too much to handle for the suddenly slumping Gophers.

The Picks: Saint Louis -2.5 (-114); OVER 145.5 (-110)