Bad beat: BYU inexplicably fouled Saint Mary’s with a second left to blow the cover

BYU blew the backdoor cover.

Covering as 6.5-point underdogs shouldn’t have even been an option for BYU after trailing by as much as 26 points in their West Coast Conference Tournament semifinal game Monday against BYU.

But as the final seconds of the game winded down, Cougars bettors were somehow in the green after a monster second-half surge cut the deficit to three with about 30 seconds left. The incredible backdoor cover was secured!

And then it wasn’t.

Saint Mary’s scored four straight points from there, and it was the very last cover-blowing point that was most heart-breaking. With the game all but decided, a BYU player fouled Saint Mary’s with less than a second left.

That extra free throw made the difference.

Adding to the heartbreak for BYU bettors is the missed free throw that led to the rebound and foul. It was third straight miss from the line for Atiki Ally. Had he made just one of them, the foul at the end wouldn’t have mattered.

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Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s College Basketball Prediction, Game Preview

Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Tuesday.

Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Tuesday, March 8


Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s How To Watch

Date: Tuesday, March 8
Game Time: 9:00 ET
Venue: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Gonzaga (25-3), Saint Mary’s (25-6)
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Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s Game Preview, West Coast Conference Tournament Final


Why Gonzaga Will Win

So was that just a bad day? It seems like it.

Gonzaga is still the No. 1 team in the nation a few weeks after getting popped by Saint Mary’s 67-57 – that was helped by seemingly all the other top teams losing that weekend, too – but it was able to get it back a bit in an 81-71 win over San Francisco in a game that wasn’t quite as tight as the final score.

It wasn’t a perfect performance, but Gonzaga went back to being Gonzaga, hitting 58% from the field helped by 20 assists.

Yeah, Saint Mary’s might have won at home, but it got whacked in the first meeting 74-58 when Gonzaga was able to crank up the rebounds, the inside scoring, and it generated 16 assists.

It only had four in the loss.

The time off between the loss and the date with the Dons on Monday night was obviously spent getting down the passing again, but …

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why Saint Mary’s Will Win

Give Saint Mary’s credit for just being that good – even though things started to slip late in the 75-72 win over Santa Clara.

It might not be spectacular, but it’s a rock-solid sound team with one of the nation’s best defenses – it allows just 59 points per game with the ability to hang with Gonzaga on the boards and win the turnover battle.

Not only did the Gaels shoot well in the West Coast Conference semifinal, but they only turned the ball over a grand total of eight times – it had just two turnovers with eight minutes to play.

And that’s how this has to work.

They have to once again slow things down against Gonzaga, pack it in, and not give up a ton of points on the move. For all of the great things the Bulldogs do, they’ve been a wee bit shaky from three – they only hit 23% against San Francisco.

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Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s: What’s Going To Happen

Gonzaga will come out looking to make a big statement that the loss a week ago was a blip, but Saint Mary’s isn’t the type of team that allows angry offenses to go off.

The scoring pop might not be quite there to get back in the game if Gonzaga goes on an early run, but it’ll hang around.

The Bulldogs won’t be great from the outside, but the passing will be strong in the second half, leading to a mini-run to build up the lead just enough to get out with the win as they lock in a No. 1 seed.

Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s Prediction, Lines

Gonzaga 76, Saint Mary’s 65
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
ATS Confidence out of 5: COMING

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Must See Rating: 4.5

5: Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain
1: American Auto

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Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara College Basketball Prediction, Game Preview

Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Monday

Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Monday, March 7


Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara How To Watch

Date: Monday, March 7
Game Time: 11:30 pm ET
Venue: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, NV
How To Watch: ESPN2
Record: Saint Mary’s (24-6), Santa Clara (21-10)
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Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara Game Preview, West Coast Conference Tournament


Why Saint Mary’s Will Win

The last time we saw Saint Mary’s it was busy dominating Gonzaga in a shocking 67-57 win to finish off a four-game winning streak coming into the tournament.

It showed off why it has one of the nation’s best defenses – teams are averaging jut 59 points per game against this group – it didn’t buckle under the pressure of the moment as the game went on, and it moved the ball around better than anyone has against the Bulldog D.

Santa Clara doesn’t have a big-time defense, it doesn’t force mistakes, and  there’s a problem on the boards, especially on the offensive end.

However …

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why Santa Clara Will Win

There’s a reason the Broncos don’t come up with a whole lot of offensive rebounds – they don’t miss.

They move the ball around phenomenally well and generate easy shot after was shot. They don’t do a ton from three, but when they do, good things happen.

They’re sixth in the nation averring 49% from the field, and that showed in the 77-72 win over Saint Mary’s in early February – it hit 56% of its shots.

It lost the first time around 73-65, but it still did a nice job on the boards, and kept the pressure on. In the rubber match …

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Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara: What’s Going To Happen

Don’t expect this to be too crazy of a shootout.

Santa Clara rolled Portland for 193 points in back-to-back games coming into this, and it’s been on a bender with 84 or more in five of its last six games.

The Broncos are coming in on a roll, and Saint Mary’s is coming in on fresh legs after a week off. Santa Clara will get up early, the Gael defense will clamp down starting late in the first half, and the grind of a second half will set up a rematch against Gonzaga for the conference title.

Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara Prediction, Lines

Saint Mary’s 72, Santa Clara 66
Line: Saint Mary’s -5, o/u: 138.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

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Must See Rating: 3

5: College basketball starting … now
1: Baseball negotiations

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Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Saturday.

Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Saturday, February 26


Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s How To Watch

Date: Saturday, February 26
Game Time: 10:00 ET
Venue: University Credit Union Pavilion, Moraga, CA
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Gonzaga (24-2), Saint Mary’s (23-6)
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Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s Game Preview


Why Gonzaga Will Win

Saint Mary’s just doesn’t score enough.

It’s a great team with a phenomenal defense and great half court attack that spreads the ball around well, but the points don’t go in bunches. It’s more about quality over quantity, and you’re not beating Gonzaga if you’re not serving up the super-sized portions.

Even when Gonzaga is struggling a bit – like it did against Santa Clara – it’s still able to power through.

It played the Gaels’ game – for the most part – in the first meeting two weeks ago and still made 55% from the field, half the threes, and won by 16.

Gonzaga can play a whole lot of defense, too, but …

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why Saint Mary’s Will Win

Saint Mary’s is 15-0 in Moraga.

Granted, it hasn’t played Gonzaga at home – or anyone close to it – but no one seems to be able to get the offense going when the Gaels feel comfortable.

No one has hit 70 points, it’s been a struggle for teams to get to 40% from three, and the offense flirts with 50% from the field.

As long as the best defense in the West Coast Conference can be solid, and as long as the team doesn’t turn the ball over in bunches and bogs everything down …

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What’s Going To Happen

It’s going to be a great fight for a half, and once again, a team in the West Coast Conference that should give Gonzaga a hard time will do just that …

Until the big scoring burst comes.

San Francisco was supposed to be a nasty out at home, and then Gonzaga pulled away for a 16-point win.

Santa Clara made a push, and then it was a 12-point Bulldog victory.

Saint Mary’s has the make up and talent to pull this off and finally show that Gonzaga is vulnerable.

And then Gonzaga will prove once again that it’s not – at least for now.

Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s Prediction, Lines

Gonzaga 76, Saint Mary’s 66
Line: Gonzaga -9.5, o/u: 143.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 4

5: Troy Aikman on Monday Night Football
1: His inability to not say “make a play”

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Saint Mary’s vs San Diego Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Saint Mary’s vs San Diego prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Thursday.

Saint Mary’s vs San Diego prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Thursday, February 24


Saint Mary’s vs San Diego How To Watch

Date: Thursday, February 24
Game Time: 10:00 ET
Venue: Jenny Craig Pavilion, San Diego, CA
How To Watch: Stadium
Record: Saint Mary’s (22-6), San Diego (14-13)
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Saint Mary’s vs San Diego Game Preview


Why Saint Mary’s Will Win

The Gaels might have lost on the road to Santa Clara and Gonzaga, but those have been the two blips over the last 12 games.

They might not be all that scintillating on offense, and they don’t do enough on the boards, but they’re great at locking down at times from three and …

The offense was more than fine against the Toreros the first time around putting 86 on the board hitting 53% from the field in the blowout win.

They might not get to the free throw line enough, but they hit all ten of their tries in the first meeting and nail 75% from the line, and …

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why San Diego Will Win

The Toreros are solid defensively on the inside with a whole lot of blocks, and they’re decent enough on the defensive boards to prevent a whole slew of second chance points.

They have to keep this low scoring, and Saint Mary’s will be happy to oblige and rely on its defense to pull this off.

However, winning the rebounding margin is a big deal, coming up with assists matters for this bunch, and if they can just slow the turnovers down after having way too many since February started this will be close late.

And …

Top 25 Game Previews, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Saint Mary’s will hit its free throws and San Diego won’t.

The Gaels are stronger defensively, San Diego struggles to get to 40% from the field, and it’ll be a third straight win leading up to Saturday’s showdown when Gonzaga comes to Moraga.

Saint Mary’s vs San Diego Prediction, Lines

Saint Mary’s 73, San Diego 58
Line: Saint Marys -12, o/u: 127
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 2

5: The USFL Draft
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Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Saturday.

Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Saturday, February 12


Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s How To Watch

Date: Saturday, February 12
Game Time: 10:00 ET
Venue: McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA
How To Watch: ESPN2
Record: Gonzaga (20-2), Saint Mary’s (20-5)
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Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s Game Preview


Why Saint Mary’s Will Win

The Gaels got their groove back.

They lost at Santa Clara a few days ago, but they shot well and bounced back to hit everything in a blowout win over San Diego.

This isn’t a team full of firepower, but it’s able to hit inside and out, it’s got the ability to bomb away at keep up the pace – it hit double-digit three in three of the last four games – and it’s a rock on the free throw line.

Part of the problem teams have against Gonzaga is how they give away points. The Bulldogs guard well from three, but Saint Mary’s should be able to get its shots off.

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why Gonzaga Will Win

Yeah, Saint Mary’s can shoot threes, and they do a whole lot of things right – including playing the best defense in the West Coast Conference – but Gonzaga is a whole other animal, especially at home.

Santa Clara was able to get past the Gaels by hitting everything from the field and doing a strong job on the boards in the 77-72 win. Gonzaga thunder dunked 115 points on the Broncos on the road back in mid-January.

Saint Mary’s should be able to keep Gonzaga from coming up with with a massive embarrassment, but forget it if the threes aren’t falling …

Top 25 Game Previews, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

Saint Mary’s is 1-4 when it’s not hitting at least 28% from three. Gonzaga hasn’t allowed four of the last five teams to get to 28% from three.

Everyone comes for the offense, but it’s the underappreciated Bulldog D that gets it done, too.

Saint Mary’s will do enough to pressure the Gonzaga guards to keep them from moving the ball around like they usually do, but it’s Gonzaga at home.

It’ll pull away when it has to, but the Saint Mary’s D will keep this game from getting too out to hand. No one has scored 80 on it so far, but …

Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s Prediction, Lines

Gonzaga 81, Saint Mary’s 63
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
ATS Confidence out of 5: COMING

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Super Bowl – the actual game
1: Super Bowl – everything else

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San Diego vs Saint Mary’s Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

San Diego vs Saint Mary’s prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Thursday.

San Diego vs Saint Mary’s prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Thursday, February 10


San Diego vs Saint Mary’s How To Watch

Date: Thursday, February 10
Game Time: 9:00 ET
Venue: University Credit Union Pavilion, Moraga, CA
How To Watch: NBC Sports California
Record: San Diego (13-11), Saint Mary’s (20-4)
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San Diego vs Saint Mary’s Game Preview


Why San Diego Will Win

The Toreros have enough of a defense to make this interesting.

They don’t bomb away from the outside and they don’t force enough mistakes to create a ton of easy points, but they’re great on the boards and they’ve got a tough style that keeps teams to around 65 points.

Saint Mary’s has a good offense, but it’s not going to come out and crank up 90 points walking into the gym. It’s not a great rebounding team and it’s used to playing in low-scoring games.

If San Diego can control the tempo and have a positive rebounding margin, it’ll have a chance.

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why Saint Mary’s Will Win

Really, Saint Mary’s? This is why we can’t have nice things.

The Gaels pop into the top 25, and the first game in it loses to Santa Clara 77-72.

Just assume they’ll play with a wee bit of fire in this.

No, this isn’t the greatest rebounding team, but it’s a whole lot better defensively than it showed on Tuesday night. San Diego isn’t going to hit 55% from the field like Santa Clara did.

Getting up and down the floor in a fast-break style isn’t what Saint Mary’s does, but if it can force double-digit turnovers and not allow a whole lot of extra passes for easy points – Santa Clara had a whopping 18 assists – it’ll be fine.

Top 25 Game Previews, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

12-0 at home, Saint Mary’s will come up with a big-time performance to try staying in the top 25 for next week. It might not be quite enough to stay in the fun without a few breaks, but it’ll have few issues. The Toreros won’t have enough outside punch.

San Diego vs Saint Mary’s Prediction, Lines

Saint Mary’s 74, San Diego 61
Line: Sain Mary’s -15.5, o/u: 126
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3

5: Sports with a ball
1: Sports that rely on judges and opinions, unlike college football with its playoff system that … never mind.

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Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Tuesday.

Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Tuesday, February 8


Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara How To Watch

Date: Tuesday, February 8
Game Time: 11:00 ET
Venue: Leavey Center, Santa Clara, CA
How To Watch: ESPNU
Record: Saint Mary’s (19-4), Santa Clara (16-8)
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Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara Game Preview


Why Saint Mary’s Will Win

This might not be the move high-powered Saint Mary’s team, but it’s been red hot from three lately – pushing past 45% over the last three games after hitting half the outside shots against Loyola Marymount – and Santa Clara hasn’t been great lately at stopping the bombers.

If the Gaels can do anything from three and get on the defensive glass, they should be fine. Santa Clara doesn’t come up with enough second chance points with the 13 offensive rebounds against San Diego in a win a few days ago a total aberration. However …

– Latest Polls AP | Coaches

Why Santa Clara Will Win

The Broncos are hot.

They’ve made a nice push winning three straight and five of its last six by seemingly making everything from the field, doing a decent job from the outside, and making lots and lots of free throws.

Patience is the key. The Saint Mary’s defense is terrific and forces a whole lot of turnovers, but Santa Clara doesn’t make a whole bunch of mistakes and is fantastic at coming up with the extra pass.

The Broncos are 16-1 when they can make 45% from the field, and they’ll get their share of inside points. However …

Top 25 Game Previews, Predictions

What’s Going To Happen

The Saint Mary’s defense should be able to clamp down a bit. It has only allowed six teams to hit 45% or better from the field, and it’s not going to allow Santa Clara to get hot from the outside.

The Gaels won 73-65 in late January by getting up in the first half and holding on. They did a better job of getting to the free throw line, and that’s how they’re going to get out of this alive.

It’ll be a fun, tight battle worth staying up for.

Saint Mary’s vs Santa Clara Prediction, Lines

Saint Mary’s 69, Santa Clara 67
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
ATS Confidence out of 5: COMING

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Wordle
1: Anyone who goes on social media and gives away the day’s Wordle

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