Time:<\/strong> 11:00 PM ET \/ 8:00 PM PT
Broadcast:<\/strong> ESPN
Location:<\/strong> McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA
Spread:<\/strong> Gonzaga -13.5 | Total: 153.5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
San Francisco vs Gonzaga Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When was the last time Gonzaga was in a “must-win” game in February? While not technically true, the Bulldogs can’t afford many more losses if they want to stay in the NCAA Tournament at-large conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark Few’s team can certainly win its way in through the West Coast Conference Tournament, but in terms of an at-large berth, Gonzaga has already cashed in most of its chips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A non-conference win over Indiana doesn’t carry much weight, considering the Hoosiers are 6-8 in the Big Ten and Mike Woodson has been pushed aside. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A non-conference win over Arizona State isn’t carrying much weight, considering the Sun Devils are 3-10 in the Big 12 entering Thursday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gonzaga still has to play San Francisco twice, Santa Clara, Saint Mary’s and Washington State (all top-110 in KenPom’s national ratings), then probably do it all over again in the WCC Tournament. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While those in Spokane are not used to seeing a “7” in the Bulldogs’ loss column at this time of the season, the sky is not falling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gonzaga’s offense is top-30 in the country in efficiency, effective field goal shooting, turnover rate, two-point shooting, free throw shooting and assist rate. We did knock the Bulldogs’ non-conference wins a little bit, but they still played a top-25 non-conference schedule in the country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gonzaga has won each of the last 30 meetings in this WCC matchup, and a big reason for that is because San Francisco excels at defending areas that Gonzaga is not interested in attacking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under former head coach Todd Golden and current coach Chris Gerlufsen, the Dons have made an emphasis to defend the three-point line. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Opponents are only shooting 28.7-percent from beyond the arc against San Francisco this season, and made three-pointers account for just 25.3-percent of points scored against the Dons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those numbers are great, but Gonzaga does not shoot three-pointers. The Bulldogs are No. 10 out of 11 WCC teams in three-point shot attempts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
San Francisco vs Gonzaga Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Coach Few’s offense is built around generating transition opportunities at the rim. In their last ten meetings, Gonzaga has scored an average of 86 points per game against the Dons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their last five meetings have seen an average of 161.2 points per game. San Francisco’s defense is designed to stop a lot of looks on the perimeter, but that formula has not worked against the Bulldogs in the past. We’re expecting another high-scoring affair on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
San Francisco vs Gonzaga Prediction: Over 153.5<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoldSheet Top Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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