The Saint Mary’s Gaels and Gonzaga Bulldogs meet on Saturday in college basketball action at McCarthy Athletic Center. Here’s a Saint Mary’s vs Gonzaga Prediction. This article will include a Saint Mary’s vs Gonzaga Pick.
Saint Mary’s Gaels Betting Preview
The Saint Mary’s Gaels (24-4, 13-14 ATS) are one of the hottest teams in the CBB and they are not even ranked among the top 25 at the moment. Saint Mary’s won 14 of the last 15 games; the Gaels were on a 10-game winning run before San Francisco ended that great streak with a tight 65-64 W. The Gaels bounced back with four wins in a row, three of which came at home against Santa Clara, Washington State, and Portland. After suffering just one loss in 15 conference games, Saint Mary’s is atop of the WCC, and even if they lose this one, the Gaels will likely enter the conference tourney from the top spot.
Saint Mary’s averages 74.8 PPG (170th) and allows 60.7 PPG (5th). The Gaels are 31st in rebounds (39.4) and 51st in assists (16.2). Augustas Marciulionis leads the team with 14.4 PPG, 6.2 APG, and 1.5 SPG. Paulius Murauskas follows him with 13.0 PPG and a team-high 8.3 RPG, while Mitchell Saxen chips in with 10.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 1.4 SPG, and a team-high 1.4 BPG.
Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Preview
The Gonzaga Bulldogs (21-7, 11-17 ATS) responded to a two-game losing run against Oregon State and Santa Clara with seven wins in the next eight games. Gonzaga’s lone loss in that span was to Saint Mary’s on the road. However, the Zags managed to get five victories in a row; the most recent came against Washington State on the road. Gonzaga is 2nd in the WCC, but with two games behind the Gaels, so at the moment, it seems the second place is the Zags’ reality prior to the conference tournament.
Gonzaga is averaging 87.8 PPG (2nd) and is allowing 69.5 PPG (108th). The Bulldogs are getting 39.7 RPG (27th) and are having 20.0 APG (1st). Graham Ike is the team’s top scorer with 16.8 PPG and 7.6 RPG. Khalif Battle adds 12.7 PPG and 3.5 RPG, while Braden Huff, Nolan Hickman, Ryan Nembhard all average 11+ PPG.
Why Gonzaga will beat Saint Mary’s
- Gonzaga has won each of its last 45 day games against the West Coast Conference.
- Saint Mary’s has lost five of its last six games at McCarthey Athletic Center.
- Gonzaga has won the first half in each of its last 14 day games against the West Coast Conference at McCarthey Athletic Center.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Gonzaga’s last 10 home day games against the West Coast Conference have produced a total of 143+ points.
- Twelve of Saint Mary’s’ last 14 road games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 140 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Gonzaga ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (20.0).
- Gonzaga ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for assist-to-turnover ratio this season (2.07).
- Saint Mary’s ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (56.9%).
- Saint Mary’s ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (60.7).
Saint Mary’s vs Gonzaga Prediction
Saint Mary’s can afford to enter this tilt a bit relaxed; the Gaels pretty much secured the top spot in the WCC, and they already beat Gonzaga this year. Although it’s a rivalry game, I believe the visitors will be cautious with their stars and will monitor their minutes on the floor.
That said, the Zags have the motivation to set the record straight and secure second place in the conference. They won seven of the previous eight H2H clashes at home, and I think they will record one more on Saturday. Even though Gonzaga only covered the spread in 16 of its last 37 games, I am backing the hosts to cover here.