Saint Mary’s CA vs Gonzaga Preview and Free Pick

Saint Mary’s CA Gaels (21-3, 8-1) vs Gonzaga Bulldogs (19-4, 7-1)
When: Thursday, February 11th, 2010
Where: McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA
Time: 8:00pm PT
TV: ESPN2
Opening Line: Gonzaga -5.5

Saint Mary’s CA Last 3 Games Gonzaga Last 3 Games
W 73-57 vs San Francisco W 66-58 @ Memphis
W 74-62 vs Santa Clara W 76-49 vs Portland
W 85-67 @ Loyola Marymount L 81-77 @ San Francisco

Recent Meetings
1/14/10 – Saint Mary’s CA 82, Gonzaga 89
3/9/09 – Gonzaga 83, Saint Mary’s CA 58
2/12/09 – Saint Mary’s CA 70, Gonzaga 72

First place in the West Coast Conference is on the line tonight in Spokane, Washington as the 8-1 Saint Mary’s Gaels visit the 7-1 Gonzaga Bulldogs. Both teams have cruised through the WCC with the exception of Gonzaga’s hiccup at San Francisco and the Gaels loss earlier this year at home to Gonzaga. Since losing to the Bulldogs, Saint Mary’s have won their last 6 games by an average of 13.8 points per game. They’re shooting almost 49% while holding their opponents to 37% shooting in their last 5 games. As with most teams in College Basketball, Gonzaga is much better at home. They’re averaging 84 points at home while only allowing 66. In the first meeting back in January, the Bulldogs dominated from the beginning, but let the Gaels back in the game in the 2nd half. Zags forward Elias Harris had the game of his life pouring in 31 points and grabbing 13 rebound. Matt Bouldin chipped in with 22 points of his own. I expect a little more scoring distribution for the Zags tonight as they punish the Gaels from start to finish and get that much closer to yet another WCC crown.

Pick: Gonzaga -6

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