Saturday night, the Bulldogs extended the school’s best start in team history with ease, as they routed the 21st-ranked Saint Mary’s, 79-56. Everything was dropping for the Zags, who shot a season-high 65 percent from the field. With the victory, they also remained as the only unbeaten team left in the nation.
Washington transferee Nigel Williams-Goss is maintaining his play as the clear MVP for Gonzaga, averaging 15.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.7 steals per game – he paces the team in scoring, dimes, and steals, while also being a very close second in boards.
It’s not just about Williams-Goss, though, as big men Przemek Karnowski (12.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.1 APG) and Zach Collins (10.4 RPG, 5.4 RPG, 1.2 BPG) are producing nicely. The two are collectively making 60.6 percent of their shots.
Through their efficiency on both ends of the floor, Kenpom.com is ranking Gonzaga sixth in offense and fifth in defense. They are outscoring teams by more than 21 points (85.6 PPG to 63.9 PPG), thanks to an efficient 50.9 percent shooting (fifth overall). To top it all off, their intimidating D has held 10 of their 17 opponents this season to shoot under 40-percent (two shot below 30 percent).
The Bulldogs are 6-0 on the road this season (5-1 ATS).
Betting on the Santa Clara Broncos (10-9, 4-2 WCC)
The Broncos will head to the game on a good roll. They are winners in four of their last five games, three of which are by 14 or more points. In the 75-61 win over Pepperdine this past Saturday, the team sank 14 treys, tying their season-high for the third time.
First-year head coach Herb Sendek is giving his backcourt – Jared Brownridge and KJ Feagin – the ultimate green light in shooting the ball, with the two combining for 15 attempts from downtown per game. Brownridge, just like what he’s been doing for his whole career at Santa Clara, is headlining the team in points (17.9 PPG, 3.4 threes per game). Feagin, meanwhile, is providing good numbers since returning from a foot injury. In his last four, he’s putting up 18 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.6 threes per game.
Against WCC rival Gonzaga, they will be in for their toughest test yet. It really doesn’t look good for the Broncos, who are only ranked 186th in offense and 142nd in defense (as per Kenpom).
Santa Clara has lost 12 straight games against Gonzaga (9-3 ATS).
