Meaningful West Coast Conference Clash

Gonzaga has been the 800-pound gorilla in the WCC, winning nine consecutive league crowns. Though a few different teams have challenged them in recent years, the one having the most success and creeping ever closer is St. Mary’s, who continues to bring in a solid array of players from here and abroad. Tonight is the first of at least two and possibly three matchups between these respectful rivals.

The coaching aplomb of Mark Few is on display again this season. Despite a treacherous non-conference slate, Gonzaga (12-3, 7-4-1 ATS) came thru with shining colors, in spite of the fewest number of returning scorers in years. What makes the Bulldogs the favorite in the West Coast Conference is the addition of freshman forward Elias Harris, whose averaged 18.5 points per game in last four outings. His easy transition to the collegiate game enables Gonzaga to appear to be the best team in the league. One area of concern is free throw shooting (66.9 as a team), beyond Matt Bouldin and Steven Gray. The Zags are 26-14 ATS in January road games the last several years.

While Gonzaga looks like a conference champ again, St. Mary’s (15-2, 13-3 ATS) won’t be easily dismissed. They have road wins at Utah State and Oregon, showing the Gaels are battle-tested and they have been one of the favorite plays of sports bettors all season with their stellar spread record. St. Mary’s has the best big man in the WCC in center Omar Samhan, who is also getting mentions on the national level. The biggest concern on game day for coach Randy Bennett is Samhan being aggressive without committing fouls. Mickey McConnell and freshman Matthew Dellavedova have added a constant scoring threat from the backcourt for a team 8-2 ATS after scoring 80 points or more this season, like they did at Santa Clara in last outing (80-72).

St. Mary’s play the last few years has earned the respect of oddsmakers like those at Bookmaker.com and they are listed as four-point favorites with total of 152. The Gaels are 9-2 ATS versus teams outscoring their opponents by eight or more points a game (Gonzaga is +9.9) over the last two seasons. St. Mary’s is an outstanding shooting team, 49.5 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc, which helps explain why they are 14-5 OVER in all home games over the last two seasons.

Gonzaga is going to have to turn up the defensive pressure, as they are 2-9 ATS after three straight games forcing opponent to commit 14 or less turnovers. The Bulldogs are 10-2 OVER on the season, including 7-2 OVER as visitors.

This WCC encounter starts at 8:00 Pacific on ESPN2 with Gonzaga 8-4 at McKeon Pavilion since 1997, with 5-7 ATS mark.