The first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament features a matchup between the Saint Louis Billikens and the Georgia Bulldogs on Thursday. Saint Louis is riding one of the best seasons in recent program history, while Georgia looks to advance after a challenging close to the regular season in a difficult conference to succeed in. Which of these potent offenses will have the best game in Buffalo? Continue reading to get my Saint Louis vs Georgia prediction here.
Saint Louis vs Georgia Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Saint Louis Billikens vs Georgia Bulldogs
- Date & Time: Thursday, March 19, 2026
- Venue: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
Key Storylines
- Saint Louis enters the NCAA Tournament with a stellar 28‑5 record and A‑10 regular season championship, seeking to make noise beyond the first round for the first time since a deep tournament run decades ago.
- Georgia earned an at‑large bid as an 8 seed at 22‑10 but finished the SEC Tournament with a frustrating loss, raising questions about their consistency and ability to get defensive stops.
Key Players
Saint Louis Billikens
- Amari McCottry – SLU’s most consistent contributor at 10.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, his efficiency (50.8% FG) and ability to impact multiple statistical areas make him a central figure for the Billikens’ offense and defense.
- Robbie Avila – Leading scorer for SLU at about 12.9 PPG with solid rebounding and playmaking, Avila’s experience and scoring versatility will be important in handling Georgia’s pressure defense.
- Trey Green – An efficient guard who scores around 11 points per game and shoots well from three, Green stretches defenses and creates mismatches from the perimeter.
Georgia Bulldogs
- Kanon Catchings – Averaging approximately 12 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, Catchings is Georgia’s primary scoring option. His recent 19‑point performance highlights his capability to take over when needed.
- Jeremiah Wilkinson – A key offensive contributor with the ability to score in bunches and create opportunities for teammates. Wilkinson’s ball‑handling under pressure is a factor in late game situations.
- Blue Cain – Consistent scoring threat around 13 PPG, Cain’s perimeter shooting and ability to attack closeouts can open driving lanes and force matchup adjustments.
Stat Comparison
| Statistic | Saint Louis | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Points per Game | 87.2 | 89.8 |
| Team Field Goal % | 51% | 47% |
| Rebounds per Game | 39.9 | 38.2 |
| Assists per Game | 18.3 | 14.9 |
Betting Trends
- Saint Louis is 18-12-2 against the spread this season.
- Georgia is 15-16-1 against the spread going into March Madness.
- Saint Louis is 16-16 in the over/under market this season.
- Georgia has gone over the total 17 times and under the total 15 times this season.
Saint Louis vs Georgia Pick & Model Projection
- Score Projection: Saint Louis 85 – Georgia 88 ATS PRO
- Pick: Over 170.5 ATS PRO
- Confidence: 3 out of 5 ATS PRO
- Win Probability: Saint Louis 45%, Georgia 55% ATS PRO
Georgia’s slight edge in offensive firepower and experience against stronger SEC competition gives them a slim advantage, especially in a game likely decided down the stretch. Saint Louis’s balanced scoring and the play of Avila make them a dangerous postseason opponent, but Georgia’s ability to create points in transition and hit key shots late should tilt this opening round contest in their favor. I think this is a close game, so I will take the over instead of backing Georgia, who I do think wins by a possession.
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