The West Coast Conference Tournament continues on Monday night with a semifinal matchup between the #10 Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-5, 14-2 WCC) and the San Francisco Dons (20-13, 7-9 WCC). Gonzaga defeated San Francisco both times during the regular season and carries a 26-game winning streak into the contest.
The battle tips off at 11:30 p.m. EST inside Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gonzaga is a 13-point favorite, while the over/under total is 160 points.
What to Know – #10 Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Bulldogs were once again the WCC regular season champions, earning a double-bye into the semis of the conference tournament. Gonzaga aims to win its fourth-straight tournament title and ninth in ten seasons.
Gonzaga’s offense topped the nation, pouring in 87.2 ppg behind an impressive 52.1% shooting from the floor and 37.0% shooting from beyond the arc. On defense, the Bulldogs finished second in the league, limiting foes to 66.2 ppg, 38.0% shooting from the field and 30.5% from three.
Drew Timme took home WCC Player of the Year honors for the second-straight season after leading the conference in scoring, pouring in 21.1 ppg. Timme was one of four Bulldogs that finished the season averaging double figures.
The Bulldogs finished the regular season with a 12-17-1 against the spread and a 5-2 mark on a neutral floor.
Gonzaga is 1-6 ATS in their last seven games after scoring 100 or more points in their previous contest.
What to Know – San Francisco Dons
San Francisco has wins over Pacific and Santa Clara to advance to the WbCC semis. Saturday night’s victory over Santa Clara was a double-overtime thriller, with the Dons escaping with a 93-87 triumph. San Francisco finished the regular season in sixth place in the conference.
The Dons ranked third in the conference in scoring this season, averaging 77.4 points per game while hitting 45.7% from the field and 35.0% from deep. San Francisco’s defense finished fourth in the WCC, holding opposing teams to 67.8 ppg, 42.6% shooting from the floor, and 29.4% from the 3-point line.
Khalil Shabazz was third in the league in scoring in his final season as a Don. Shabazz averaged a career-high 16.9 ppg. Tyrell Roberts was next in line, scoring 16.2 ppg behind 46.6% shooting from the floor.
San Francisco is 17-16 ATS this season and 4-1 ATS in neutral site contests. The Dons are 4-0 ATS over their last four neutral site matchups.
The Pick is In
San Francisco is playing its third game in four days and while the Dons enjoyed a day off on Sunday, Saturday’s double-overtime victory was emotionally and physically draining for San Fran.
The Bulldogs are fresh and ready for another March run, equipped with one of the best players in college basketball. Timme and company open up tournament play with a blowout victory over the fatigued Dons.
The Pick: #10 Gonzaga Bulldogs -13
