It will be a battle between WCC opponents when the Portland Pilots (8-13, 2-6 WCC) welcome the No. 13 Gonzaga Bulldogs (17-4, 7-1 WCC) to Earle A. Chiles Center. The game begins at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 25, 2018.
Gonzaga is a 21-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 144.5 points.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Portland Pilots Free Prediction
In the Bulldogs’ last outing, they defeated the Santa Clara Broncos, 75-60. Gonzaga won the rebounding battle. The Bulldogs had 10 offensive rebounds and 37 total rebounds, while the Broncos had five and 26, respectively. Zach Norvell Jr. played a pivotal role for Gonzaga with 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
The Pilots were victorious over the Loyola Marymount Lions in their last matchup, 72-65. One of Portland’s largest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They had 26 free throw attempts, while Loyola Marymount had 19. With 14 points and seven rebounds, Portland’s Tahirou Diabate played well.
Portland might have difficulty putting up points as they clash against one of the nation’s best defenses. Gonzaga ranks 58th in defensive efficiency while the Pilots rank 256th in offensive efficiency. The Bulldogs should have an edge in terms of ball security. They rank 47th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.8 percent), while the Pilots force the 23rd-fewest turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 16.1 percent).
Gonzaga heads into the game with records of 17-4 straight up (SU) and 9-9 against the spread (ATS). Games featuring the Bulldogs have no tendency in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Portland is 8-13 SU and 8-8 ATS. Vegas is known to place the total low when the Pilots are involved, as 56.3 percent of their games have gone over the projected point total.
Rui Hachimura has averaged 15.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over the last five games for Gonzaga.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Silas Melson scored a game-high 23 points and the Bulldogs beat the Pilots 103-57, covering as 30-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 160 points, which was 10.5 points above the projected point total of 149.5 points. The Bulldogs had a much better turnover percentage (6.7 vs. 15.1) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (46.2 vs. 25.6).
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Portland Pilots Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Gonzaga, ATS Winner – Gonzaga, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Gonzaga is 4-6 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 4 overs.
Portland is 2-4 ATS at home with 3 overs and 3 unders.
Gonzaga ranks 13th in rebounds per game (40.7) while Portland ranks 243rd in rebounds allowed per game (38.4).
The Bulldogs average 25.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 45th in the NCAA. The Pilots rank 274th in three pointers allowed per game (27.0).
Gonzaga averages 17.3 assists per game, which ranks 20th in the NCAA. Portland ranks 225th in assists allowed per game (15.8).
The Bulldogs rank 24th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Pilots rank 69th (3.0).
Portland allows the 50th-fewest steals per game (5.5) while Gonzaga ranks 52nd (5.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Gonzaga is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Portland is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 17.4, down from 19.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pilots have scored an average of 61.2 points per game (9.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.6 points per game (3.6 below their season average).
