Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga Prediction, Odds and Key Players to Watch for Thursday, Jan. 8

Iain MacMillan | 19 Hours Ago

Gonzaga is a massive favorite against Santa Clara on Thursday night. / James Snook-Imagn Images

The Gonzaga Bulldogs have entered West Coast Conference play, and all signs point to them once again dominating the conference. They're 4-0 through their first four conference games, but tonight they're set to take on a Santa Clara Broncos team that's also 4-0 in WCC play.

Let's dive into the odds and best bet prediction for tonight's game.

Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga Odds, Spread, and Total

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook

Spread

• Santa Clara +15 (-110)
• Gonzaga -15 (-110)

Moneyline

• Santa Clara +800
• Gonzaga -1400

Total

• OVER 166 (-110)
• UNDER 166 (-110)

Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga How to Watch

• Date: Thursday, January 8
• Game Time: 11:30 pm ET
• Venue: McCarthey Athletic Center
• How to Watch (TV): ESPN2
• Santa Clara Record: 13-4 (4-0 in WCC)
• Gonzaga Record: 16-1 (4-0 in WCC)

Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga Betting Trends

• Santa Clara is 2-7 ATS in its last nine games
• The OVER is 8-2 in Santa Clara's last 10 games
• Santa Clara is 5-2 ATS in its last seven games
• Gonzaga is 18-2 straight up in its last 20 games vs. Santa Clara
• Gonzaga is 2-4 ATS in its last six games

Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga Key Player to Watch

• Graham Ike, F - Gonzaga Bulldogs

Graham Ike is averaging 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, serving as one of the most important players on this Gonzaga team. The 6'9 forward can create a ton of tough matchups for opponents, and if he gets hot, the Bulldogs are tough to slow down.

Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga Prediction and Pick

Santa Clara is a team that shoots the three-ball and defends the perimeter well, but they have their backs up against the wall whenever they face a team that has size that can dominate the interior. Unfortunately for them, that's exactly what Gonzaga is.

The Bulldogs keep the majority of their shots to within two-point range, and now they face a Broncos team that ranks 195th in opponent two-point field goal percentage, allowing teams to shoot 51.95% from down low.

I'll lay the points with Gonzaga in this one.

Pick: Gonzaga -15 (-110) via Caesars

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