It will be a battle between WCC opponents when the No. 20 Gonzaga Bulldogs (10-3) welcome the Pacific Tigers (5-8) to McCarthey Athletic Center. The game will air on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, 2017.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 153 points with Gonzaga opening as a 22-point favorite.
Pacific Tigers vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Free Prediction
In the Tigers’ last contest, they were blown out by the No. 3 Arizona State Sun Devils, 104-65. Arizona State made 12 of their 26 three pointers (46.2 percent). Pacific, on the other hand, was just 3-17 (17.6 percent). Jack Williams led Pacific in scoring with 13 points on 5-for-13 shooting.
The Bulldogs lost a tough one against the San Diego State Aztecs in their last game, 72-70. San Diego State made good use of their 26 trips to the free throw line, converting on 21 of them (80.8 percent). Gonzaga, meanwhile, was just 11-17 (64.7 percent). With 12 points and 15 rebounds, Johnathan Williams III had a solid performance for Gonzaga.
Gonzaga could dominate on the offensive side of the ball as their prolific offense goes up against one of the NCAA’s worst defenses. The Bulldogs currently rank 16th in offensive efficiency, while Pacific ranks 272nd in defensive efficiency.
Pacific holds records of 5-8 straight up (SU) and 4-7-1 against the spread (ATS). Tigers games tend to go over the O/U total (66.7 percent).
Meanwhile, Gonzaga is 10-3 SU and 5-5 ATS. Bulldogs games also tend to go over the projected point total (70.0 percent).
After the Bulldogs won all three games against the Tigers last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last contest, Gonzaga won 82-50. The Bulldogs made 21 of their 25 free throws (84.0 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.598 vs. 0.331).
Pacific Tigers at Gonzaga Bulldogs ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Gonzaga, ATS Winner – Pacific, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Pacific is 2-3-1 ATS on the road with 5 overs and 1 under.
At home, Gonzaga is 2-2 ATS with 3 overs and 1 under.
Gonzaga ranks 51st in three pointers attempted per game (25.7) while Pacific ranks 269th (14.1).
The Bulldogs rank 33rd in assists per game (17.2) while the Tigers rank 179th in assists allowed per game (14.8).
Gonzaga ranks 19th in rebounds per game (40.8) while Pacific ranks 132nd (36.2).
The Bulldogs rank 25th in blocks allowed per game (2.4) while the Tigers rank 69th (3.2).
Pacific ranks 46th in steals per game (7.8) while Gonzaga ranks 62nd in steals allowed per game (5.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Pacific is 1-2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 1 under.
Gonzaga is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Tigers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.0, up from 1.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 85.8 points per game (4.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.8 points per game (2.1 above their season average).
