This is Gonzaga’s last true road game of the season, and all signs are pointing to another blowout victory against a struggling San Diego team that’s mainly hoping to finish off an ugly campaign on a good note.
The first-ranked Zags totally dominated the first meeting last month in Spokane, where top scorer Nigel Williams-Goss (16.3 PPG) racked up a game-high 25 points on a very efficient 11-of-15 shooting to lead his side to the eventual 79-43 win. He should be able to replicate that performance once more as the Toreros don’t exactly play good defense.
Speaking of which, the Bulldogs’ own defense is a nightmare for opposing clubs. They are allowing just 61.7 points per contest, and have also held all but one—BYU—of their last 13 opponents to no more than 64 points each.
The Zags are 6-3-1 ATS in their previous 10 games overall.
Betting on the San Diego Toreros (12-16, 5-11 WCC)
The only silver lining for San Diego is that it’s coming off a double-overtime victory at Santa Clara on Saturday, 60-58. The Toreros were saved by sophomore Tyler Williams, who finished with just seven points but drained the game-winning jumper to snap his team’s five-game slide.
Cameron Neubauer did most of the damage for San Diego with 24 points and 10 rebounds, including the crucial layup that forced the second extra period. Brett Bailey and Olin Carter III, meanwhile, only had 10 and nine points, respectively.
Neubauer, Bailey and Carter are each scoring in double figures this season, with Bailey leading the way with 15.9 points per outing. But those three were all contained in the first meeting with Gonzaga a month ago, combining for just 24 points on a miserable 10-of-31 shooting.
San Diego is 1-4 SU and ATS in its last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Gonzaga (-24) wins and covers, putting them only a win away from going undefeated this regular season.
