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Saint Mary's vs. Gonzaga Prediction and Odds for West Coast Conference Championship Game

By Reed Wallach

Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Julian Strawther.
Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Julian Strawther. / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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Gonzaga lost one WCC game in the regular season, to St. Mary's on the road at the end of February, and will get a chance to get some revenge in the West Coast Conference Tournament Championship.

Mark Few's Gonzaga team is making its 25th straight conference title game and will look to dispose of St. Mary's en route to locking up the No. 1 overall seed on Selection Sunday in the NCAA Tournament.

Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Saint Mary's vs. Gonzaga Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Saint Mary's: +13 (-110)
  • Gonzaga: -13 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Saint Mary's: +600
  • Gonzaga: -900

Total: 140 (Over -110/Under -110)

Saint Mary's vs. Gonzaga Prediction and Pick

Saint Mary's is more than capable of hanging here, head coach Randy Bennett is one of the best game planners in the country, but I don't see another upset for the Gaels against the vaunted Zags.

As simple as it sounds, I think we see Gonzaga's best after the road loss to end the regular season. The extra motivation is all this team needs, ranked the best by KenPom and all major advanced metrics websites, to overwhelm a methodical Gaels offense that is disciplined but lacks the firepower to keep pace with Chet Holmgren and the Bulldogs on their best night.

Few's team won't get many clean looks, but I see them keeping St. Mary's at bay for most of this one. The underdogs are the No. 1 turnover team in the country, but the Bulldogs turn it over less than any other team in the WCC. If the Zags are protecting the rock, they are going to find ways to put the ball in the hoop either inside or out. Not to mention if the Bulldogs can rebound off of misses.

I also like that San Francisco made the Bulldogs semifinal victory close at the end with some sloppy play in the final few minutes, fueling a more focused Zags team in the title game.

LEAN: Gonzaga -13

All of Reed's college basketball plays can be tracked here, his best bets column for college basketball is 91-82-3 for +4.58 units.

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