The Santa Clara Broncos (16-7, 4-4 WCC) and No. 14 Gonzaga Bulldogs (18-4, 7-1) meet Thursday in West Coast Conference game in Spokane. Tip at the McCarthey Athletic Center is 11 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Santa Clara has gotten some big offensive performances lately, but is just 3-3 in its last 6 games and 4-2 against the spread (ATS). Over those 6 games the Broncos have averaged 81.5 points, up from their 72.6 PPG average in December.
The Bulldogs covered as a 13-point favorite in their last game on Saturday, winning 82-67 at Portland. Since Dec. 5, Gonzaga is 13-1 on the strength of a 52.8% mark from the floor and 89.3 PPG.
Gonzaga beat Santa Clara 81-76 on Jan. 7, but did not cover the 8.5-point spread as the Under 158.5 cashed.
Rankings courtesy the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
Can you survive? New pro and college basketball survivor pools are here at USA TODAY Sports! Free to play; terms and conditions apply. Join now!
Santa Clara at Gonzaga odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:01 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Santa Clara +575 (bet $100 to win $575 | Gonzaga -950 (bet $950 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Santa Clara +13.5 (-115) | Gonzaga -13.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 158.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
Santa Clara at Gonzaga picks and predictions
Prediction
Gonzaga 86, Santa Clara 77
Moneyline
PASS.
No point risking that much on Gonzaga.
Stream select live college basketball games and full replays: Get ESPN+
Against the spread
These 2 programs have evenly split their last 10 games against the number, with more than a couple ofdouble-digit margins swinging each way.
A 10-to-13-point margin for Gonzaga fits here, but a recent 1-point loss to Loyola Marymount and close wins over San Francisco, Pacific and BYU certainly give pause. And there is a slight lean toward Santa Clara on this number. But not enough to pull a trigger.
PASS.
Over/Under
The Under his in the last 2 games of this series (including by 2.5 points on Jan. 7), but that is on the heels of 4 straight Overs. The Over is 4-0 in Santa Clara’s last 4 games, and it is the top play in this matchup in Spokane.
Both teams have tempo numbers that fit in the top-60 in the nation. Both can fill it from distance and from in close, and both sport better efficiency numbers on offense than on defense.
BACK THE OVER 159.5 (-105).
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Want action on this basketball game or any other sports contest? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]