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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\nKey Matchups and Handicap: Towson vs Santa Clara<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The current landscape feels a bit like the old days of the West Coast Conference, back when the league was known as the WCAC and before Gonzaga joined the loop. Even then, it took the Zags roughly 20 years to become a powerhouse. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Now Mark Few's program has taken its act to the new Pac-12, and Randy Bennett has left Saint Mary's for Arizona State after a generation of success in Moraga. That leaves a wide-open league, and Santa Clara is positioned to seize it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Santa Clara Steps Into a Wide-Open WCC<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Herb Sendek's Broncos were already in the mix over the past couple of seasons, and last March the program made its first Big Dance appearance in 30 years. With the conference's two longtime powers either gone or under new leadership, the excitement on the Mission campus is palpable, and this opener is the first chance to show the program is ready for the spotlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
SCU Reloads After Losing Hammond and Graves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The offseason did take a bite out of the returning roster. Star guard Christian Hammond left through the portal for NC State, and forward Allen Graves went to the NBA draft and is now with the Toronto Raptors. Losing two key contributors would sink plenty of programs, but Bay Area sources report that Sendek is pleased with the new mix he has assembled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Santa Clara Backcourt: Castillo and Gavalyugov<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The centerpiece of that new mix is Kansas State portal addition David Castillo, a guard who averaged 10.3 points per game for the Wildcats last season. He joins holdover Sash Gavalyugov, whose big games last season included a 37-point explosion against Loyola Marymount. That pairing gives Santa Clara proven scoring on the perimeter, one experienced at the high-major level and one with a track record of carrying the offense on his best nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Broncos Ride the Momentum of a Big Dance Return<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
A first NCAA Tournament trip in three decades changes the culture of a program, and the Broncos open this season with expectations higher than they have been in a generation. Playing at home with that energy behind them, Santa Clara should come out sharp against a visitor still figuring out its rotation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Towson Rebuilds Around Caleb Embeya<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Visiting Towson is not chopped liver and should contend in the Coastal as usual. The challenge for Pat Skerry is chemistry. He is working several newcomers and portal additions into a lineup that includes just one returning starter, forward Caleb Embeya. Early in the season, a roster that is still learning to play together is especially vulnerable on the road against a confident, deeper-scoring opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
SCU vs TOW Betting Trends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nTOW vs SCU Key Injuries and Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nTowson vs Santa Clara ATS and Total Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
ATS Pick: Santa Clara -15.5 (-105).<\/strong> The market has pushed this line two points toward the Broncos, and the reasons are easy to see. Santa Clara has a coach who is pleased with his reloaded roster, a proven high-major scorer in Castillo, and a returning bucket-getter in Gavalyugov. Towson, meanwhile, is trying to build chemistry with only one returning starter. A road opener against a rising program is a tough spot for a team still finding itself, and the reduced -105 juice on the favorite is an added bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nTotal Pick: Over 148.5 (-110).<\/strong> The total has stayed locked at 148.5, so there is no market signal pushing it down. Santa Clara has two guards capable of big scoring nights, and Towson's new-look roster is likely to have defensive breakdowns as Skerry sorts out his rotation. If the Broncos pull away as expected, a fast-paced, high-possession game is the likely result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nTowson vs Santa Clara Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nFinal Score Prediction for Towson vs Santa Clara<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Santa Clara opens its first season in a post-Gonzaga, post-Bennett WCC with a reloaded backcourt, a home crowd, and plenty of momentum from last March. Towson should be competitive in the Coastal, but a lineup with just one returning starter is a tough fit against this version of the Broncos. Expect Santa Clara to pull away and cover the inflated number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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