Saint Louis vs. Georgia Odds & Betting Preview for March Madness First Round

The 2026 NCAA Tournament rolls into Thursday night with a tantalizing Midwest Region matchup as No. 9 Saint Louis takes on No. 8 Georgia at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.

Tip-off is set for 9:45 PM ET on CBS, with both teams looking to secure a spot in the second round. Awaiting the winner will likely be No. 1 Michigan, unless No. 16 Howard pulls off a shocking upset.

Saint Louis enters the tournament with an impressive 28-5 record, while Georgia brings a 22-10 mark into March Madness play.

Saint Louis vs. Georgia Game Info

• 📍 Where: KeyBank Center, Buffalo, New York
• 📅 Date: Thursday, March 19
• ⏰ Start Time: 9:45 PM ET
• 📺💻 TV/Streaming: CBS

Saint Louis vs. Georgia Odds at Hard Rock Bet

This 8 vs. 9 matchup feels like a coin flip on paper, and the odds reflect that.

As of Thursday afternoon, Georgia is listed as a slight favorite at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook in what projects to be one of the more competitive first-round games on the board.

With just a 1.5-point spread separating the two sides, expect this one to come down to late-game execution, free throws, and which team can string together stops in the final minutes.

Saint Louis vs. Georgia Betting Splits

Here’s a look at how the action is trending at Hard Rock Bet for tonight’s matchup:

• Georgia is drawing the majority of moneyline interest, accounting for 64.9% of tickets and 66.9% of the handle, while Saint Louis sees a smaller share on both sides.
• The bet count leans slightly toward Georgia at 54% of tickets, but the larger wagers are backing Saint Louis, which holds 64.3% of the handle against the spread.
• The Over has a slight edge for the total, bringing in 53.2% of tickets and 52.5% of the handle, suggesting a modest lean toward a higher-scoring game.

Referenced odds are subject to change.