St. Joseph’s vs Penn Game Information

St. Joseph’s vs Penn Preview

This Big 5 matchup sees Ivy League’s Penn (2-1, 1-0 at Home) welcoming the A-10’s St. Joseph’s (2-1, 0-0 on Road) to the Palestra in what should be an exciting and tightly contested game. Philadelphia’s “Big 5” are Villanova, Temple, La Salle, St. Joseph’s and Penn. Villanova has won two National Championships (1985, 2016) and La Salle one (1954). In their last game, the Hawks beat Villanova (83-75) as Rasheer Fleming (19 points) and Xzayvier Brown (18 points, 13 assists) starred at Hagan Arena on Tuesday while the Quakers lost at Lafayette (65-63) in its last game after defeating UMES (by 3) and NJIT (by 1).

St. Joseph’s the Best of the Big 5 This Season?

St. Joseph’s (1-2-0 ATS, 1-2-0 O/U) has four quality players in G Xzayvier Brown (18.7 ppg. 7.0 apg), F Rasheer Fleming (13.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg), G Erik Reynolds II (14.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 3.3 apg), and G Derek Simpson (10.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and this team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament 21 times, but not since 2016. This could be a good year in the City of Brotherly Love and Basketballs if the Hawks can reach their potential in the A-10 and play like it did this week, upsetting crosstown rivals Villanova. Ken Pomeroy currently has St. Joseph’s ranked No. 103 (Penn is #244). The Hawks covered in that win vs the Wildcats but didn’t against Central Connecticut (L 73-67) and Navy (W 70-63) so this team has won by 7 twice and lost by 6 once.

St. Joseph’s Betting Trends

• St. Joseph’s has won the last 4 series meetings SU, 6-2 last 8
• The Hawks were 19-16 ATS in 2023-24 (54.3%)
• The Over is 5-3-0 in the last 8 series meetings
• The Under is 7-1 in the Hawks last 8 Road games (+5.90 Units, 65% ROI)
• St. Joseph’s is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 series meetings

Penn’s Poor Shooting From All Over Reason to Fade

Penn (1-2 ATS, 1-2-0 O/U) went 11-18 in 2023 and returns Sam Brown (10.9 ppg), Nick Sponoso (10.8 ppg), Cam Thrower, George Smith, and Eddie Holland (5.8 ppg), and welcomed JUCO Transfer (Triton) PG Dylan Williams (15 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 5.4 apg). But this Big 5 member had many fatal flaws last year, ranking No. 305 in Free Throws (68.%), No. 320 from Three-point land, No. 325 in Points Allowed Per Possession, and No. 337 in forcing TO’s. This is a poor shooting team that could be better on defense, so it’s no surprise the Quakers started 0-3 ATS in 2024, are 0-4 ATS the last 4 and 1-6 ATS the last 7. Ethan Roberts (18.0 ppg), Brown (13.3 ppg), Williams (11.3 ppg), and Nick Spinoso (10.4 ppg, 3.0 apg) lead Penn in scoring heading in.

Penn Betting Trends

• Penn is a poor 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
• The Quakers are 9-19 ATS in their last 28 (-11.90 units,-30% ROI)
• Penn is 5-12 SU lifetime vs St. Joseph’s
• The Quakers have lost 4 straight SU to the Hawks
• The Over is 4-1 in Penn’s last 5 games, 4-0 last 4 at Home

St. Joseph’s vs Penn Prediction and Pick

This St. Joseph’s vs Penn prediction and free NCAAB pick is to back the Road Favorite as the Hawks have won the last 4 in this Big 5 matchup, outscoring the Quakers by 6 (87-81), by 7 (78-71), by 5 (85-80, OT), and by 8 (69-61), so these have been close games. With Penn barely beating UMES and NJIT and St. Joseph’s upsetting Villanova, it seems there is a greater distance (than 7 points) between these two Philadelphia rivals now so taking St. Joseph’s for a small amount is the lean. Fading Penn has simply been a profitable thing for College Basketball bettors over the last 30 games.

Kevin’s Pick: St. Joseph’s -5