The No. 14 Saint Mary’s Gaels (25-5, 14-1 WCC) look for a season sweep of the No. 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs (24-5, 13-2) in Spokane Saturday at 10 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Saint Mary’s vs. Gonzaga odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Since losing 78-70 to Saint Mary’s, Gonzaga has run off 5 straight wins and continues to lead the nation in scoring at 87.5 points per game. This includes its past 2 games against Pepperdine and San Diego in which the Bulldogs scored 97 in each contest. While Gonzaga and star center Drew Timme handle its business on offense, Saint Mary’s uses the 4th-ranked defense to hold teams down.
The Gaels come in after beating Pacific 83-52 Thursday and head into this matchup looking to seal up the WCC conference title.
Despite the better record and beating the Zags in the first meeting, Saint Mary’s is ranked No. 14 while Gonzaga is No. 12. This is even more prevalent when looking at the NET. This shows the Gaels as the 7th-best team in the nation and Gonzaga as 10th. Saint Mary’s will look to prove the voters wrong Saturday.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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Saint Mary’s 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 11:50 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Saint Mary’s +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Gonzaga -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Saint Mary’s +5.5 (-110) | Gonzaga -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Saint Mary’s at Gonzaga picks and predictions
Prediction
Gonzaga 80, Saint Mary’s 71
Moneyline
PASS
In a similar game to the first meeting, a 78-70 overtime win by Saint Mary’s, this game will be close for the entirety. This game will be played on Gonzaga’s home court, though, and this will make the difference in the winner.
The Bulldogs have come on strong since their loss to the Gaels, and the hot streak will continue. Even so, I am not willing to wager -230 on any straight wager.
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Against the spread
Take GONZAGA -5.5 (-110).
Gonzaga has scored 97 points in each of its last 2 outings. While the Gaels have only allowed 58.7 per game on the season, with this game in Spokane, the Bulldogs will use its top-ranked offense at 87.8 points to light up the scoreboard.
Gonzaga does not want to lose its grip on the WCC conference. With a win Saturday, it can retain a co-share of the championship. 5.5 points is a lot. But with the way Gonzaga has played of late, it is not enough.
The home team in this series is 6-0-2 ATS in the past 8. Saturday will continue the trend.
Over/Under
OVER 141.5 (-105)
While the Gaels have the bigs to contend with Timme and the rest of Gonzaga, the Bulldogs will be able to force the pace to an uncomfortable level for Saint Mary’s, who wants this to be a slow matchup.
Zags coach Mark Few knows this, and his team will do everything it can to be lightning quick down the floor.
The Bulldogs will use its 1st-ranked offense (87.8 points) along with its porous 297th-ranked defense (74.1 points) to get this one to the Over 141.5.
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