We have an intriguing in-state clash brewing at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis on November 6 as the Missouri Tigers (1-0) square off against the Saint Louis Billikens (1-0). Tip-off for this neutral-site showdown is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU. Both squads are looking to build early-season momentum, but the storylines here are decidedly different.
Mizzou is using November to fine-tune its rotations before diving into the gauntlet that is the SEC schedule. Jason Crowe Jr. already looks like a certified bucket-getter, pouring in 23 points in the opener. Meanwhile, Saint Louis has somehow sprinted to the No. 1 spot in the initial RPI rankings—a quirky early-season anomaly, sure, but a testament to a tough strength of schedule out of the gate. The Billikens lean heavily on Kellen Thames, who scored 15 points in his debut. The A10 is a solid basketball conference, but let’s be real: matching up against SEC size and length is a different puzzle altogether.
Missouri vs. Saint Louis Odds
Oddsmakers are projecting a tight one, hanging Missouri as narrow 1.5-point favorites on BetMGM. The total is sitting at 161.5, suggesting sportsbooks expect a fast-paced game with plenty of possessions.
Tale of the Tape: Missouri and Saint Louis Team Stats
Neither team managed to crack the preseason AP Top 25, but the opening-week data reveals 2 differing statistical profiles. Mizzou is showcasing serious offensive efficiency, dropping 111 points in its opener compared to a solid 92 for Saint Louis. Mizzou played Cleveland State in the opener, while Saint Louis blew out Lehigh.
Key Matchup to Watch: Length vs. Efficiency
The defining battle of this game boils down to Missouri’s frontcourt versatility against Saint Louis’s perimeter efficiency. Mark Mitchell was a problem in Missouri’s opener, operating as a true point forward. He racked up 11 points and dished out 10 assists, manipulating the defense to create open looks for his shooters.
He will be orchestrating against a Saint Louis defense that just watched guard Kellen Thames, play a flawless offensive game, shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the floor. The X-factor here? Missouri big man Toni Bryant. He deterred everything at the rim in his debut, swatting 5 blocks while chipping in 15 points. Saint Louis needs to prove it can finish in the paint over legitimate SEC size.
Missouri vs. Saint Louis Best Bet and Prediction
The Pick: Missouri -1.5 (-110)
Betting neutral-site games in November requires peeling back the layers of 1-0 records. Both teams are unranked in the AP Top 25, and both handled their opening business. But backing Missouri to cover the 1.5-point spread offers a distinct situational edge.
What we saw from the Mizzou offense, generating high-percentage looks through elite ball movement, was impressive. Mitchell’s 10-assist performance was a great sign. When you combine that spacing—highlighted by Crowe drilling 4 of his 7 3-point attempts—with Bryant’s rim protection (5 blocks) anchoring the paint, Missouri simply has too many ways to beat you. Expect Missouri’s depth, size advantage, and passing to dictate the tempo in the second half, grinding down Saint Louis to cover the short number.
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Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
