College hoops betting interest focuses on the La Salle vs Pennsylvania battle Saturday at Tom Gola Arena as the Explorers look to defend home court and cover the NCAA basketball point spread.

The Quakers will try to spoil to the party on Saturday; they are 3-5-1 ATS against the number this season, while the Explorers are 5-3 ATS. Pennsylvania is 2-2 on the totals; La Salle is 3-3-1.



View Pennsylvania vs La Salle Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
La Salle opened as 19-point favorites in this college basketball tilt over at Sportsbook but the number may be on the move. Watch for the Sportsbook total as well at Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
This game puts the Explorers, most recently No. 159 in the Odds Shark power rankings, up against the Quakers, who rate No. 319 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and computer-based handicapping simulations run on this game predict a potential 76-61 victory for the Explorers.



How They Match Up:
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and La Salle has the nation's No. 63-rated offensive output, at 74.3 PPG. The visiting Quakers defense ranks No. 228 allowing on average 68.8 PPG. The Explorers FG% has averaged 45.1% so far, more than the Quakers marksmen have achieved on the year, 40.5% per game.

Defensively, Pennsylvania features the nation's No. 208-rated defense on the road, allowing 72.7 points per game. La Salle, meanwhile, comes in at No. 35 nationally in scoring at home.

Last time out for Pennsylvania, they were a 70-57 loser as they battled Butler on the road. They covered in the match as a 21.5-point underdog. Pennsylvania suffered a 70-57 loss against Butler on Wednesday, getting 15 points from Miles Cartwright in a losing effort at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Last time out for La Salle, they were a 76-59 loser as they battled Miami on the road. They failed to cover in the match as a 6.5-point underdog. La Salle suffered a 76-59 loss against Miami on Wednesday, getting 20 points from Tyrone Garland in a losing effort at BankUnited Center.


Pennsylvania Quakers Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Lafayette are 7-3
After a loss are 2-8

La Salle Explorers Trends:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing Charlotte are 5-2
After a loss are 5-5

A few Quakers at Explorers trends to consider:
Pennsylvania is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against La Salle
Pennsylvania is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
La Salle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Pennsylvania
La Salle is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
La Salle is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
La Salle is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing at home against Pennsylvania


Next up:
Pennsylvania home to Lafayette, Tuesday, January 8
La Salle at Charlotte, Wednesday, January 9