Saint Joseph’s vs California: Predictions, Picks, and Odds for NIT Matchup Today

Mo. Basuony

Published: March 22, 2026 11:17 PM ET

Saint Joseph’s vs California: Predictions, Picks, and Odds for NIT Matchup Today

Saint Joseph’s travels to Haas Pavilion to face California in the NIT second round. The game is set for Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 9:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Game snapshot

The Hawks have won 15 of their last 19 games. That surge places them high in recent momentum metrics.

BartTorvik rated Saint Joseph’s 59th over the past month. California checked in at 88th over that stretch.

Key statistics and matchup edges

Saint Joseph’s features a strong defensive profile since February 20. The Hawks rank 32nd in adjusted defensive efficiency.

They are also 14th in effective field goal defense and 24th in 3-point defense. That perimeter strength matters against Cal.

California has been middling defensively in that window, at 56th in adjusted defensive efficiency. The Bears struggle on the offensive glass.

Cal ranks 318th in offensive rebounding. Their team rebounding percentage sat 255th, at 48.6 percent.

The Hawks shoot 30.8 percent from three and average 13.8 free-throw attempts per game. Saint Joseph’s allows just 11.1 opponent free throws per game.

The Hawks also rank eighth in fewest fouls. Those traits suggest a low-scoring contest is likely.

Trends and situational notes

Saint Joseph’s is 22-3 ATS in first halves across its last 25 games.
The Hawks are 11-7 ATS in road games during the same span.
Saint Joseph’s has cashed the Under in 10 of its last 13 games.
Cal has hit the Over four times since February 4, though those games came versus offense-heavy opponents.
On the season window cited, California ranked 56th in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Predictions, picks, and odds

Filmogaz.com projects a low-scoring tilt and favors Saint Joseph’s to pull the upset on the road. The Hawks are listed around +200 on the moneyline.

Current published lines show a spread near Saint Joseph’s +5.5 and a standard total in the 151.5 range. Filmogaz.com’s best bet is the Under 149 (-110).

Suggested college basketball picks for this NIT matchup today include first-half Hawks support and a full-game focus on the Under. Short-term momentum and defensive metrics support that approach.

Same-game parlay and player props

First half: Saint Joseph’s +3.
Full game: Saint Joseph’s +5.5 and Under 149.
Player rebound targets: Justice Ajogbor Over 5.5 and Derek Simpson Over 5.5.
Alternate SGP: Saint Joseph’s first-half moneyline with Cal team total Under 77.5.