The Gonzaga Bulldogs host the Santa Clara Broncos this coming Thursday in Spokane. Will the Bulldogs claim another victim in the WCC? Or will the Broncos ride away from McCarthey Athletic Center with a victory? Check out our preview of this Santa Clara vs Gonzaga matchup in the 2022-23 NCAA basketball season. There are more college basketball previews to read here at TopBet, so feel free to look around and make bets once you’re ready.
Santa Clara picked up another loss last Saturday, as the Broncos failed to get past the Pacific Tigers in a 95-89 loss at home. Before that, the Broncos lost to the Saint Mary’s Gaels on the road, 77-58. Despite the loss to Pacific, the Broncos posted a very good 51.6 percent shooting from the field in that game. They shot just 8/27 from deep but were 25/37 from inside the arc. Santa Clara outrebounded the Tigers, 34-29, which was to be expected since Santa Clara is one of the better rebounding teams in the nation. In fact, the Broncos are 30th nationally with 38.5 rebounds per game. The Broncos are pretty big in the frontcourt, with a pair of 6-10s in Parker Braun and Jaden Bediako usually starting at the 4 and 5.
Santa Clara is 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games overall.
Gonzaga is looking great again. After losing to the Loyola Marymount Lions, 68-67, and a too-close-for-comfort 99-90 win over the Pacific Tigers, the Bulldogs obliterated the Portland Pilots last Saturday to the tune of an 82-67 score. Junior forward Julian Strawther exploded for 40 points on 14/21 shooting with 8 3-pointers in that game. He could still be hot when the Bulldogs face off with a Santa Clara team that is only 249th in the nation in scoring defense. The Broncos are allowing 73.0 points per game. Conversely, Gonzaga is No. 1 in the nation with 84.7 points per game and fifth when adjusted to 100 possessions and strength of schedule.
Gonzaga is 2-2 against the spread in its last four games.
