What time does the game start?
9:45 p.m. ET.
Yanuki
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Sports / NCAABasketball
Georgia vs. Saint Louis: NCAA Tournament First Round Preview
The 2026 NCAA Tournament is underway, and an interesting first-round matchup features the Georgia Bulldogs against the Saint Louis Billikens. Here's a preview of the game.
Key Insights
- The game takes place on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y., with tipoff at 9:45 p.m. ET.
- Georgia is a 2.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 167.5 points.
- Saint Louis is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019, while Georgia lost in the first round last year.
- Saint Louis ranks 10th nationally in scoring offense (87.2 ppg) and second in 3FG% (.401).
- Georgia is strong offensively, ranking fifth in the country with 89.9 ppg and leading in fastbreak points (19.9 ppg).
- Somto Cyril, Georgia's center, is critical to UGA's plans as he will likely be tasked with defending St. Louis' Robbie Avila, Atlantic 10 player of the year.
In-Depth Analysis
### Background The Georgia Bulldogs (22-10) finished seventh in the SEC, while the Saint Louis Billikens (28-5) won the A-10 regular-season title.
### Team Strengths Saint Louis boasts a high-powered offense, setting school records for 3-pointers made and total points. Their scoring margin of +17.7 is fourth in the NCAA. Georgia's offense is also potent, with Jeremiah Wilkinson leading the team in scoring (17.0 ppg).
### Key Player Matchup Somto Cyril's defense on Robbie Avila could be a deciding factor. Avila, known for his 3-point shooting and passing ability, presents a unique challenge for opposing centers. Cyril's shot-blocking and rebounding will be crucial for Georgia.
### Betting Analysis SportsLine's model predicts the Under on the total points (167.5). The Billikens have leaned towards the under recently, and Georgia's games have also seen lower scores in neutral-site contests. The model also suggests one side of the spread hits nearly 70% of the time (see SportsLine&ref=yanuki.com for the pick).
FAQ
Where is the game being played?
KeyBank Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
What TV channel is the game on?
CBS.
Takeaways
- Saint Louis' high-scoring offense and Georgia's fast-paced play style make this an exciting matchup.
- The performance of Georgia's Somto Cyril against Saint Louis' Robbie Avila will be a key factor in determining the outcome.
- Betting models suggest a lower-scoring game, so consider the under when placing bets.
Discussion
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Sources
Disclaimer
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