Offense meets defense when the BYU Cougars (13-9, 5-2 WCC) welcome the No. 4 Gonzaga Bulldogs (19-2, 6-0 WCC) to Marriott Center. The game starts at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 31, 2019, and will air on ESPN2.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. BYU Cougars ATS Prediction
In the Bulldogs’ last contest, they blew out the Santa Clara Broncos, 98-39. The Bulldogs had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 2.5 (better than their season average of 13.3) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 38.9 (above their season average of 32.1). With 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting, Josh Perkins was the game’s high scorer.
The Cougars defeated the Saint Mary’s Gaels in their last contest, 71-66. The Cougars had an absurdly low turnover percentage of 2.8 (better than their season average of 14.1), while the Gaels had a free throw rate of 0.153 (below their season average of 0.233). Yoeli Childs was the top scorer from either team with 23 points on 10-for-24 shooting from the field.
After the Bulldogs won all three meetings against the Cougars last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, Gonzaga won 74-54. The Bulldogs made six of their seven free throws (85.7 percent) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (20.6 vs. 15.0).
This battle pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. BYU ranks 57th in offensive efficiency and Gonzaga is 10th in defensive efficiency. Ball protection should be an advantage for the Bulldogs. They rank 8th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 14.7 percent), while the Cougars force the 65th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.4 percent).
Gonzaga vs. BYU Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Gonzaga, ATS Winner – Gonzaga, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Gonzaga averages 40.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 25th in the country. BYU ranks 217th in rebounds allowed per game (37.1).
The Bulldogs average 18.8 assists per game, which ranks fifth in the nation. The Cougars rank 147th in assists allowed per game (13.4).
Gonzaga ranks eighth in blocks per game (5.6) while BYU ranks 117th (3.1).
The Bulldogs rank 46th in steals per game (7.6) while the Cougars rank 142nd (6.0).
Gonzaga averages 23.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 116th in the nation. BYU ranks 168th in three pointers allowed per game (23.0).
Bettings Trends:
The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 28.8, up from 25.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cougars have scored an average of 76.0 points per game (6.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.8 points per game (7.0 below their season average).
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