The West Coast Conference has been the backdrop to one of the most intriguing rivalries in college basketball over the past several years, as the Saint Mary’s Gaels and Gonzaga Bulldogs seemingly battle every season for a place in the NCAA Tournament. However, Gonzaga has routinely gotten the better of Saint Mary’s with the Bulldogs going 12-2 SU and ATS in the last 14 meetings. The two programs will do battle once again with top spot in the WCC on the line Thursday.
Saint Mary’s enters this contest riding a 12-game winning streak thanks to a dominant defense. The Gaels have held opponents to 61.3 points per game and 42.6 percent from the field. Offensively, the team relies on center Jock Landale, who paces the WCC in points per game (21.7), rebounds per game (10.3) and field-goal percentage (65.3%).
Gonzaga takes a perfect 6-0 conference record into Thursday thanks to an explosive offense that has averaged a WCC-leading 89.8 ppg. Scoring depth is once again the Bulldogs’ greatest strength with six players averaging double-digit points. However, the star is senior Johnathan Williams, who is averaging 14.1 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 56 percent.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Betting fans looking to side with the Gonzaga Bulldogs to cover the point spread in this one found them as 9.5-point favorites earlier in the day. Watch for line moves and updates at Sportsbook before game time.
St. Mary's Gaels vs Gonzaga Bulldogs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Gonzaga Bulldogs currently sport a 16-3 record overall in NCAA basketball action, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 9-8-1 ATS. The Saint Mary's Gaels are 17-2 and 9-8-1 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Bulldogs produce a 11-7 OVER/UNDER record on the season, while the Gaels have gone 9-8-1 against the totals betting line.
The Power Rankings at OddsShark show the No. 19-rated Gaels taking on the No. 4-rated Bulldogs in this contest.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Gonzaga's No. 4-ranked offense, averaging 89.79 PPG, against a Gaels defense that ranks No. 33 at 65.42 PPG. The Bulldogs field goal percentage has averaged 51.28% so far, less than the Gaels marksmen have achieved on the year, 52.35% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Saint Mary's cruised to victory on Saturday, running Pepperdine out of the gym and running up a 91-67 score at Firestone Fieldhouse.
Johnathan Williams, III scored 17 points leading the Bulldogs to a 75-65 victory over San Francisco at War Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday.
Next Betting Matchups
Saint Mary's at Pacific, Saturday, January 20
Gonzaga at Santa Clara, Saturday, January 20