Led by sixth-year senior Tommy Kuhse, Saint Mary’s has one of the more veteran teams in college basketball. On Friday the Gaels partake in a neutral-site game in Phoenix against San Diego State. This is a case where the spread is too small based on nine days' rest for the Aztecs. I think Saint Mary’s outlasts the Aztecs in what should be a gritty game.

Both of these teams have been cashing the under consistently. The under has cashed in all five of the Gaels games away from home and the under has cashed in four of the Aztecs five home games this season. These teams have elite defenses. Kenpom ranks the Gaels as the 8th best defense and the Aztecs as the 11th best defense. Additionally, both of these teams play with no urgency. This will be a defensive battle from the tip. Take the under.

Easily the game of the night and it's important to note that San Diego State isn't the home team or I wouldn't take the Gaels -- it's a neutral site in Phoenix. I consider these teams about even, although KenPom has Saint Mary's eight spots higher. The difference for me is SDSU is again without sophomore guard Lamont Butler for the third consecutive game. Solid all-around player as in about 24 minutes per game, he averages 9.7 points (47.1 percent from deep), 2.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.