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College Basketball: 5 best games for Week 10

By Nathaniel Reeves

Dec 29, 2016; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) inbounds the ball against the Pepperdine Waves during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 92-62. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2016; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Nigel Williams-Goss (5) inbounds the ball against the Pepperdine Waves during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 92-62. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 5, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) celebrates against the San Francisco Dons in the second half at War Memorial Gymnasium Gonzaga defeated San Francisco 95-80. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2017; San Francisco, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Przemek Karnowski (24) celebrates against the San Francisco Dons in the second half at War Memorial Gymnasium Gonzaga defeated San Francisco 95-80. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Saint Mary’s at Gonzaga, Saturday 10:00 p.m. ET

The Gales and Bulldogs could provide one of the most heated conference rivalries of the 2016-17 season, as their two matchups will have a big impact on the WCC race and NCAA Tournament seeding.

Gonzaga is in the top five as one of the two undefeated teams remaining in the country at 15-0. The Bulldogs own solid wins over Florida and Arizona, and have managed to breeze through the first three games of conference play.

Saint Mary’s entered the season with high expectations, and look capable of challenging Gonzaga following its 14-1 start. A disappointing loss to UT-Arlington in early December knocked the Gaels from 12th to 20th in the AP Poll, but they have recovered with eight straight wins, including a solid victory over Brigham Young on Thursday.

The Gaels like to slow down the pace and have one of the best scoring defenses in the nation at 58.1 points per game. Saint Mary’s is also in the national top five in offensive efficiency, as center Jock Landale is averaging over 18 points and nearly 10 rebounds per contest.

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Landale can help Saint Mary’s hold its own against Przemek Karnowski and the rest of the Gonzaga frontcourt. The difference will be Bulldogs point guard Nigel Williams-Goss, who leads the team in scoring and is coming off a 36 point performance against San Francisco. The Gales have proven themselves to be a very good team, but have not played a team of Gonzaga’s caliber yet this year.