One of the best mid-major rivalries in college basketball is from the West Coast Conference between Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s. Well, if you can call it a rivalry as the Zags usually win. They enter Saturday’s game on the nation’s longest winning streak, ranked No. 1 in the nation and as solid college basketball odds favorites.
How to Bet Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s NCAAB Odds & Game Info
Gonzaga has won 19 in a row, all by double digits.@ZagMBB boasts the 3 longest streaks since Mark Few took over in 1999-00:
Div I, Most Consecutive Double-Digit Wins – Since 1999-00 21 – Gonzaga (2016-17) 19 – Gonzaga (current) 18 – Gonzaga (2003-04) 17 – Cincinnati (2001-02) — Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) 1 de marzo de 2019
- When: Saturday, 10 PM ET
- Where: McKeon Pavilion, Moraga, Calif.
- TV: ESPN
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- NCAAB Odds: TBA
Teams That Are Already Locks for 2019 March Madness
Season Series
Gonzaga looks for another sweep, although the teams could meet in the West Coast Conference Tournament. On Feb. 9, the Zags crushed the visiting Gaels 94-46. Brandon Clarke scored 24 points and blocked three shots, Rui Hachmiura added 18 points and Filip Petrusev had 15 for Gonzaga. Zach Norvell Jr. added 12 points and Corey Kispert 10. Tommy Kuhse scored 12 points and Malik Fitts 11 for Saint Mary’s, which has lost 14 of its past 17 games against Gonzaga – they usually are close, though.
The Gaels shot just 25.9 percent as Gonzaga’s defense prevented them from getting clean looks. The Bulldogs shot 58 percent. Gonzaga had a 52-20 advantage on points in the paint and won the rebound battle 42-31. The Zags scored the first 11 points of the game and never looked back.
Why Bet on Gonzaga?
Gonzaga is back at No. 1 in the polls. The Zags also spent two weeks at No. 1 after beating Duke to win the Maui Invitational in November, but Mark Few’s teams fell out after a December loss to Tennessee. Then came a loss at North Carolina, marking the first time the Bulldogs had lost back-to-back games since February 2014.
Gonzaga hasn’t lost since. They are on the nation’s longest winning streak at 19 in a row and one of just two unbeaten teams in conference play (as of this writing), joining Wofford of the Southern Conference. This might be Few’s best team yet in Spokane, and he’s had some pretty darn good ones. The school already has claimed its seventh straight WCC regular-season title and a 12th straight year with at least 25 wins.
Plenty of experts were projecting Gonzaga as a Final Four team in the preseason, but it was mostly because of Rui Hachimura, Killian Tillie and the other returnees. Now, the Zags look even stronger with the emergence of Brandon Clarke, who is now a projected first-round pick in June and is making a strong push for All-America consideration.
The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 16.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks, while shooting 68.4 percent from the field. He’s first in the nation in field goal percentage and third in blocks. Clarke’s efficiency numbers are outstanding, and he’s one of the best defensive players in the country.
The Zags are first in the nation in field goal percentage (53.2 percent), first in scoring margin (25.4), first in scoring offense (90.7) and first in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8).
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 90.53
- Field Goal Percentage: 53.38
- Three-Point Percentage: 37.23
- Free Throw Percentage: 76.79
- Total Rebounds: 39.37
Defense
- Total Score: 65.27
- Field Goal Percentage: 38.44
- Three-Point Percentage: 30.66
- Free Throw Percentage: 69.09
- Total Rebounds: 32.60
Why Bet on Saint Mary’s?
SMC is battling BYU for second place in the WCC and this is the Gaels’ home finale. The Gaels have not finished lower than fourth since 2002-03 in Randy Bennett’s second year as head coach.
Saint Mary’s has participated in the postseason (5 NCAA, 6 NIT) in each of the last 11 seasons, the 2nd longest streak among the 10 current WCC programs. Saint Mary’s has finished 2nd or higher in the WCC in nine of the last 10 seasons. SMC has won 25 or more games 9 times in the last 11 seasons.
The Gaels own the 18th most efficient offense according to KenPom.com and are averaging 1.16 points per possession. Saint Marys is ranked No. 34 in the country by the site, second best in the WCC behind only Gonzaga (No. 2). Saint Mary’s is 14-0 this season when they collected 10 or more assists in a game. The Gaels are averaging 10.5 assists per game this season as opposed to 15.5 last year.
Star Jordan Ford has scored double-digit points in all but two games this season (vs. Harvard, at Gonzaga) and has 19 games with 20 or more points. On five occasions this season, the Gaels’ top two scorers, Ford, and Malik Fitts, have scored 20 or more points in the same contest.
Saint Mary’s has defeated Gonzaga at least once in two of the past three seasons, including twice in 2016. Saturday will also be the Gaels’ Senior Night as they honor Jordan Hunter, the team’s lone senior.
Team Stats
Offense- Total Score: 74.07
- Field Goal Percentage: 47.49
- Three-Point Percentage: 37.99
- Free Throw Percentage: 74.22
- Total Rebounds: 35.13
Defense
- Total Score: 64.87
- Field Goal Percentage: 43.48
- Three-Point Percentage: 33.00
- Free Throw Percentage: 73.42
- Total Rebounds: 29.40
Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s NCAAB Betting Trends
- Gonzaga is 5-4 ATS on road.
- Saint Mary’s is 11-4 ATS at home
Expert NCAAB Betting Prediction
Gonzaga 78 – Saint Mary’s 69
