Vegas Play of the Day: Saint Mary’s vs. Valparaiso

By Case Keefer (contact)

Tuesday, March 22, 2016 | 11:21 a.m.

We've reset the Play of the Day with fresh bankrolls and turned it into a yearly competition. Our three sports writers have re-started with $10,000 bankrolls to continue using on odds from the South Point.

Valparaiso minus-3.5 vs. Saint Mary’s: $770 to win $700

Saint Mary’s has torn up the nets everywhere it’s played this season. The Gaels lead the nation in field-goal percentage and have hit at least 50 percent of their shots in seven of the last 10 games.

But they haven’t played a defense as tough as Valparaiso. Not this postseason. Not this regular season.

The Crusaders rate No. 14 in the nation in defensive efficiency, per kenpom.com, and will give the Gaels major problems. They’ve had five days of rest since burying Florida State in the second round of the NIT, while the Gaels are on a more taxing schedule.

Saint Mary’s comes to Indiana from California on only one day’s rest since beating Georgia in the semifinals. The Gaels are so potent offensively that they’re probably going to mount at least one big run where they can’t miss to take the lead or keep the score tight.

But by the end of the game, Valparaiso will have smothered them to clinch a spot at Madison Square Garden next week. Give me the home team with the better defense.

Current Standings (as of July 1): Brewer (41-33-1, $12,070), Keefer (36-48-2, $6,592), Bern (28-35, $6,065)

Lifetime standings: 2014-15 Champion Bern (107-109-1), Brewer (110-120-3), Keefer (120-130-4)

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.