It will be a battle between WCC opponents when the No. 14 Gonzaga Bulldogs (20-4, 10-1 WCC) welcome the BYU Cougars (18-6, 7-4 WCC) to McCarthey Athletic Center. The game can be seen on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 3, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 145 points with Gonzaga set as an 11-point favorite.
BYU Cougars vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Prediction
In the Cougars’ last game, they were defeated by the Loyola Marymount Lions, 76-69. Loyola Marymount’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over BYU. The Lions had a rate of 10.4 (better than their season average of 17.5), while the Cougars posted a mark of 20.3 (above their season average of 16.2). BYU’s Yoeli Childs had a solid game, contributing 15 points and 13 rebounds.
The Bulldogs beat the San Diego Toreros in their last outing, 69-59. The Bulldogs had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.0 vs. 26.2), while the Toreros had a free throw rate of 0.164 (below their season average of 0.289). Johnathan Williams led Gonzaga in scoring with 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Bulldogs rank 32nd in offensive rebounding percentage (34.8 percent), while BYU ranks 12th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.2 percent).
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Cougars won the last matchup 79-71. BYU had a better effective field goal percentage (0.524 vs. 0.482). Gonzaga, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.281 vs. 0.226).
BYU Cougars vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Odds Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Gonzaga, ATS Winner – Gonzaga, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Gonzaga ranks 12th in rebounds per game (40.4) while BYU ranks 240th (32.9).
The Bulldogs rank 53rd in three pointers attempted per game (25.2) while the Cougars rank 243rd (18.4).
Gonzaga ranks 48th in steals allowed per game (5.4) while BYU ranks 117th (6.3).
The Bulldogs rank 35th in assists per game (16.7) while the Cougars rank 88th in assists allowed per game (12.5).
Gonzaga ranks 26th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while BYU ranks 51st (2.8).
Betting Trends:
The Cougars’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.2, down from 9.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 78.4 points per game (9.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.0 points per game (0.3 below their season average).
