Time:<\/strong> 11:00 PM ET \/ 8:00 PM PT
Broadcast:<\/strong> CBS Sports Network
Location:<\/strong> Leavey Center, Santa Clara, CA
Spread:<\/strong> Gonzaga -6.5 | Total: 162.5<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gonzaga vs Santa Clara Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Saint Mary’s has unquestionably been Gonzaga’s biggest rival in the West Coast Conference over the last two decades, but Santa Clara has been quite the thorn in the Bulldogs’ side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since January 2020, the Broncos are 7-2 against the spread in the last nine meetings. Santa Clara upset Gonzaga as an eight-point ‘dog last year, and did so again as a 15-point ‘dog earlier this year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In any other year, Gonzaga having four conference losses would be automatic grounds for the Bulldogs to miss the NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga has never suffered four conference losses under Mark Few before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But because of up-and-coming teams like Santa Clara, the WCC is viewed in a much different light this season. Using KenPom’s conference ratings, the WCC is ranked at the No. 7 conference in the country this year ahead of the A-10, Conference-USA and AAC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of that, Gonzaga is still in the NCAA Tournament picture but the Bulldogs really can’t afford another loss to the Broncos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For all intents and purposes, Gonzaga’s offense has not been the problem. The Bulldogs are top-20 in the country in offensive efficiency, effective field goal shooting, turnover rate, two-point shooting, free throw shooting and assist rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s only a three-game sample size, but Santa Clara has clearly found some weaknesses to exploit against Gonzaga over the last two seasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Broncos have generated more offensive rebounds in all three of those contests. Santa Clara has shot 40.9-percent from three-point range with a high volume of attempts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whereas almost every other team in the WCC tries to slow Gonzaga down, Santa Clara has elected to go straight at the Bulldogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 80 possessions that we saw in the first meeting between these teams was the second-fastest game Gonzaga has been involved in this season. Santa Clara scored 103 points in that contest with more turnovers (14) than made free throws (13).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gonzaga vs Santa Clara Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Granted, they are probably not going to shoot 53.7-percent from the floor again, but we’re not expecting too much regression from the Broncos’ offense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Removing Saint Mary’s from the equation because the Gaels are such an outlier team in the conference, Santa Clara has scored an average of 85 points per game in its other seven conference home games. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anything in that general neighborhood on Tuesday night should be enough to get this game over the total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gonzaga vs Santa Clara Prediction: Over 162.5<\/h3>\n\n\n\nGoldSheet Top Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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