Saint Louis vs. Georgia Prediction, Betting Pick, Latest NCAA Tournament First Round Odds for Thursday Night
Saint Louis and Georgia meet in the NCAA Tournament first round on Thursday night in Buffalo. The Bulldogs bring more SEC-caliber athleticism into what could become one of the highest-scoring games of the opening round, while the Billikens counter with Robbie Avila and one of the most balanced mid-major groups in the field. Let’s check out the odds and best bet for this Saint Louis vs. Georgia prediction on March 19.
OC Staff - March 19, 2026, 7:45 PM EDT
5 Minute ReadSaint Louis vs. Georgia Prediction: Can Georgia’s Speed Outlast Robbie Avila and the Billikens?
Georgia looks like the more dangerous team on pure talent, but this is not an easy draw. Saint Louis won 28 games, shared the A-10 regular-season title, and has a legitimate go-to star in Robbie Avila, who has become one of the most recognizable players in the tournament field. Georgia, meanwhile, closed the regular season strong, reached the NCAA field out of the SEC, and now gets a Billikens team capable of turning this into one of Thursday’s most entertaining matchups.
Saint Louis vs. Georgia Recent Results
Saint Louis is 28-5 (15-3 A-10) and enters the tournament after beating George Washington 88-81 in the A-10 quarterfinals before falling 70-69 to Dayton in the semifinals. The Billikens tied a school record with 28 wins and finished as A-10 regular-season co-champions.
Georgia is 22-10 (10-8 SEC) and closed the regular season with a 102-96 win over Mississippi State before earning its NCAA Tournament bid. The Bulldogs have been battle-tested by SEC competition all season, and that league strength matters in a tight 8-9 type matchup even if this game carries 8-9 energy with Saint Louis despite Georgia being favored.
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Saint Louis vs. Georgia Odds
Saint Louis vs. Georgia Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: Thursday, March 19th, 2026
- Time: 9:45 PM ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
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Saint Louis vs. Georgia Preview, Injuries, Lineup News
This game starts with Avila for Saint Louis. He is the face of the program, a fan favorite after his transfer from Indiana State, and the kind of big who changes the geometry of a game because he can score inside, pass, and stretch the floor. He had 22 points against George Washington in the A-10 tournament and remains the focal point of everything Saint Louis wants to do offensively.
Georgia counters with more top-end athleticism and more SEC-caliber size. The Bulldogs have multiple perimeter creators and more lineup versatility, which is part of why many believe they are dangerous in this bracket despite not being seeded higher. Georgia also enters healthy enough to trust its core rotation, while Saint Louis has leaned heavily on Avila and its main scorers throughout the stretch run.
The broader storyline is simple. Saint Louis has the star power and offensive skill to make this a real fight, but Georgia has the better collection of athletes and should be more comfortable in a game that turns fast, physical, and chaotic. That is what makes this one of the better games of the day.
Saint Louis vs. Georgia Prediction
Georgia is the side here. The Bulldogs are more talented overall, and this matchup sets up well if they can force the game into their preferred tempo. With a total sitting at 170.5, this projects as a game with pace and possessions, and that generally favors the roster with more SEC-level speed and depth.
The biggest concern for Saint Louis is ball security. The Billikens have had an excellent season, but their turnover issues can become a major problem against a team that wants to pressure, run, and attack before the defense gets set. Georgia does not need to be perfect offensively if it can create extra possessions and keep the game moving. Saint Louis can absolutely score, but the margin for error narrows if the Bulldogs get this into a full-court flow.
Avila is capable of big moments, and his skill level is good enough to keep Saint Louis dangerous deep into the second half. But this is also the kind of game where Georgia’s size and speed can wear on him over 40 minutes, especially on the glass and in transition. Saint Louis has enough offense to stay live, though Georgia has more ways to win and the more reliable athletic answers when the game opens up.
Georgia should survive and advance in a game that likely looks close for stretches before the Bulldogs’ talent edge shows up late. In what could be one of the best first-round games on the board, Georgia is the team more likely to make the winning plays over the final 10 minutes.
Saint Louis vs. Georgia Best Bet
- Pick: Georgia -2.5 (-105) Check out the best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook
- Pick: Robbie Avila Under 5.5 Rebounds (-130) Check out the best odds at BetMGM Sportsbook
Our FairPlay AI likes Georgia to cover this short number, and it also points to value on Avila under 5.5 rebounds. The Avila rebounds under carries a 17.1% positive expected value, with the model hitting this prop at a strong rate recently, which fits the matchup against Georgia’s size, pace, and athletic pressure around the lane.
That under makes sense stylistically too. Avila is a highly skilled offensive big, but this is a difficult rebounding environment for him. Georgia’s speed can pull him into more movement possessions, and the Bulldogs have enough size around the basket to keep him from controlling the glass the way he often can in A-10 play. If this game gets as fast as expected, that works even more in favor of Georgia and against Avila piling up boards.
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