Recent Play Details

The gap has closed in the WCC between the chasing pack and the “Big Three” of Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s, and BYU. The Zags got beat two nights ago (first time in 78 games in Spokane!) against Loyola Marymount, and Santa Clara can rightly argue it has leapfrogged the Provo bunch in the loop hierarchy after beating the Cougs for the second straight season at Leavey Center on Thursday night. Herb Sendek’s perimeter weapons Brandin Podziemski (Illinois transfer; 18.7 points per game), Carlos Stewart (15.2 points per game), and Keyshawn Justice (14 points per game) are generating the headlines, but the interior pair of 6-10 frontliners Parker Braun (ex-Mizzou transfer) and Jaden Bediako have spearheaded one of the nation’s leading rebound margins (15th). The Broncos have covered the spread in seven-straight games, and getting double-digits in this spot against Saint Mary's is very attractive. Santa Clara has covered the spread in each of the last four meetings between these teams, and gave the Gaels everything they wanted in a 67-64 clash earlier this season.