Gonzaga vs Santa Clara Prediction & Expert Betting Advice
Sportsmemo college basketball analyst Kyle Kargel gives his Gonzaga vs Santa Clara college basketball prediction with the Bulldogs looking to reclaim their spot at the top of the conference. The Broncos sit four games back from the top.
This WCC bout tips off at 11:00pm ET from the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, WA .
Gonzaga defeated Santa Clara 81-76 in the first meeting between these two teams back on January 7th in Santa Clara.
Check out our College Basketball Free Picks page for betting picks from some of the country’s top handicappers. College basketball picks predictions odds – that go well beyond the Gonzaga vs Santa Clara Prediction!
Gonzaga vs Santa Clara: Betting Odds
Thursday, February 2 | WAC Betting Notes |
---|---|
Point Spread: | Gonzaga Bulldogs -13.5 vs Santa Clara Broncos |
Total: | 159 Points |
Game Time: | 11:00pm ET / 8:00pm PT |
Arena: | McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, WA (Odds Above by DraftKings) |
TV: | CBS Sports Network |
Gonzaga vs Santa Clara Betting Analysis
Gonzaga has certainly taken a step back from where they’ve been in previous seasons. While used to sitting top five in the national rankings, they currently sit 12th before their WCC game against Santa Clara tonight.
The Broncos come in sporting a solid 16-7 record but they have lost their last two games straight up against Saint Mary’s and Pacific. The six point straight up loss against the Tigers is more head scratching as the Broncos went in as a 11.5-point home favorites in that game.
This will be the eighth consecutive game in which Santa Clara will be alternating home and road games with one of those matchups coming against Gonzaga losing 81-76 but covering as an 8.5-point underdogs. Can the Broncos do the same thing tonight and cover this time as 13.5-point underdogs? Let’s see!
Santa Clara Spoils Back-to-Back Games
Although Santa Clara probably won’t win this game, don’t expect them to back down without a fight looking for revenge as well as a bounce back from their recent losing woes.
They play a similarly to Gonzaga as far as tempo goes with the Broncos ranking 52nd in adjusted tempo and the Bulldogs ranking 36th.
They’re 124th in adjusted defensive efficiency but they fail to contain opponents when it comes to effective field goal percentage, forcing turnovers and 3pt field goal percentage allowed ranking 221st or worst nationally in all three categories.
As far as WCC play is concerned the Broncos rank dead last offensively in 3pt field goal attempts per game and assists per game. This could be a good thing on the road though as they have a better chance to compete if their offense is focused on inside scoring.
Sophomore guard Brandin Podziemski is the heart of this team leading the team in scoring (19 ppg), rebounding (8.2 rpg) and assists (3.3 apg). He also adds two steals per game on defense.
Gonzaga Ecstatic To Be Home
Gonzaga may not be exactly the team they were over the past few years but don’t take them lightly as they still lead the country in points scored per game at 86.3.
Drew Timme continues to be a star player for the Bulldogs averaging over 21 ppg on 60% shooting while adding 7.5 rpg as well as a steal and a block per game on defense. Guard combo Julian Strawther and Rasir Bolton help pick up the slack for Gonzaga averaging 25 ppg combined between the two of them.
In the team’s most recent 82-67 win at Portland, Strawther scored a whopping 40 points on 14-21 shooting including eight three-pointers with Timme and Bolton only combining for 12 points between them.
Look for a more well-rounded scoring effort from Gonzaga this time around in what’s shaping up to be a track meet with Santa Clara.
Gonzaga vs Santa Clara Prediction and Free Expert Pick
Podziemski had 38 points in Santa Clara’s loss to Pacific as he’ll be looking for a similar effort this time around to stay in contention with Gonzaga.
The total is high sitting at 159 and I’d grab it ASAP as this number will only get higher in my opinion. Gonzaga hasn’t won a game at home since Jan 14th and will be amped to get back after two straight road games.
Santa Clara is also itching to get back on the court dropping two straight. I anticipate both teams to be aggressive on the offensive end with Gonzaga coming away with a 90-74 win.
Prediction: Over 159 Points Scored
Interested in placing a bet on tonight’s Gonzaga vs Santa Clara contest after reading our Gonzaga vs Santa Clara Prediction? DraftKings is offering a $1,000 Deposit Bonus for first-time bettors in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Indiana, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Tennessee, Michigan, Virginia, Wyoming and Arizona.
Happy Hour Tip-Off Show
Get your daily fix of college hoops betting information with Joe Raineri and a rotating panel of handicapping guests that chat about Gonzaga vs Santa Clara Prediction bets and much much more.
The Happy Hour Tip-Off Show will broadcast Monday through Friday at 1:45pm ET / 10:45am PT. Pull up a barstool and join us as we break down tonight’s college basketball card, including possibly this Gonzaga vs Santa Clara prediction and clash, from a sports betting perspective.
https://youtube.com/live/eW8citvVli0
College Basketball Stat Sheet
GoldSheet prepares a daily college basketball stat sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Thursday’s sheet, with notes on tonight’s Gonzaga vs Santa Clara prediction and contest.
College Basketball Odds Screen
Sportsmemo’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books.
Track the college basketball point spreads, moneylines, first half lines and betting percentages for all of Thursday’s college basketball games, including this Gonzaga vs Santa Clara showdown, from your desktop or phone.
**************************************************
Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?
- Latest Betting Odds and Public Action: Live odds updated in real time, including who the public is betting on.
- Last Minute Handicapping Advice: Check out our extensive library of handicapping tips to help you become a better sports bettor. Wee also recommend browsing through our sports betting tips video library.
- Want an expert opinion? Check out the latest Free Sports Picks and Best Bets from our team of expert sports handicappers.
Make sure to bookmark all the above and get more than just a Seattle U vs Abilene Christian Prediction!