The WCC slate tips off on Saturday night, as the 24th-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs play host to the Santa Clara Broncos at the McCarthey Athletic Center. The game has a start time of 8:00 pm (Eastern) and will be televised on ESPN U. Current odds have Gonzaga listed as 16 point favorites, while the total sits at 145.5.
Analysis: The Broncos are coming off a one-point victory over South Florida that put them over the .500 mark (7-6) heading into the conference campaign. On the season, Santa Clara sports a +5.2 scoring margin despite getting outshot by its opponents from the field, 45.9 percent to 43.4 percent. It earns its biggest advantage in the takeaway battle, forcing 3.3 more turnovers than it commits. Brandon Clark is leading the team with 15.8 points per game, more than doubling his scoring average from last season. Clark and Jared Brownridge have combined to drain 61 3-pointers, with Brownridge connecting on his long-range attempts at a 44.6% rate.
Gonzaga (10-2) has put together perfect home conference marks in consecutive seasons with its last such loss coming on Jan. 27, 2011 to Saint Mary's. Gonzaga took a tumble in the latest AP poll due to its 72-62 loss at Kansas State last Saturday, which halted a six-game win streak. On offense, the Bulldogs are one of the nation's best in terms of scoring efficiency, netting 85.3 ppg (15th in the country) on 52.2% shooting from the field (third) and 43.5% from 3-point range (fifth). Kevin Pangos scores a team- best 18.3 ppg and is their best long range threat (47%), while Sam Dower (13.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg) and Karnowski (9.8 ppg, 8.0 rpg) man the paint. The Bulldogs have also been solid at the defensive end, holding opponents to just 40.8% shooting for 70.8 ppg.
Pick: I like the Zags in this one. They are 27-2 in the last 29 meetings between the teams and they have won the last 6 meetings between the teams here by an average off 31.2 ppg. The Zags are coming off a loss and have the better offense and defense in this one. They will be fully focused here and will start off their WCC schedule with a very impressive 20+ point win over the Broncos.
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