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St. Mary’s Gaels vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Gambling & NCAA Handicapping Prediction

St. Mary’s vs Gonzaga CBB Picks

The Gaels vs. the Zags defines WCC basketball so the fact that we are getting this first matchup so early is very interesting. [ad-4468020]

St. Mary’s Gaels (10-3) vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs (12-2)
Thursday January 2
McCarthey Athletic Center -Spokane, WA
9:00PM
Moneyline: No total currently listed
Spread: Gonzaga -7
O/U: No total currently listed

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St. Mary’s

The question is whether the Gaels are ready yet as they opened hot with 9 straight wins but then dropped three in a row once the competition stiffened earlier this month.

This team is probably going to need at least one win over Gonzaga to be considered for an at-large bid in March.

This is their first chance to get it.

All season long we are going to be hearing about how the Gaels are missing Matthew Dellavedova. He may not exert the same control over the game as his former teammate but G Stephen Holt is proving to be a big versatile guard in the same mold.

He is averaging a career high in points while leading the team in assists and is helping unlock the potential of bruising forward Brad Waldow who leads the team with 16ppg

The fact that Gonzaga is down a key man – see below – helps the Gaels cause but I am not sold they have the depth to keep a game like this close on the road. This will be a true test for Holt as a leader as Zags rarely lose at home, especially within the conference.
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There will be other times to bet SMC but this is not one of them.

Gonzaga

Even though the Zags are 12-2 their start has been a little disappointing to me.

With all due respect to Dayton and Kansas State, I think the Zags are much better than both of those teams and might not lose again this season, though the schedule makers have not made it easy for them with 4 straight road games to close the schedule, including their visit to SMC to bookend the schedule.

I don’t want to say that Gonzaga is the best team in the nation but they may be the most complete. They have a talented and experienced backcourt in Kevin Pangos and Gary Bell (injured) and quality, productive big men in Sam Dower and Przemek Karnowski.

I also love the depth they get off the bench with PG David Stockton and transfer SG Gerard Coleman. When it comes to making big shots there are few, if any, better than Pangos.

There will be more pressure on him, and others, now that Bell is out with a broken hand though.

This game will show off the depth of this Gonzaga team. Bell is a good player but what he gives in the way of defense and energy can be replaced by others who will be given the chance to step up.

At home I would almost never bet against the Zags in league play, unless the spread was ridiculous.

Spread Pick: Gonzaga -7
O/U Pick: N/A
Score Prediction: Gonzaga 77 – St. Mary’s 63

By The Wiesguy

The Wiesguy is a newcomer to the handicapping scene. Hailing from Toronto, Canada he is always sweet on the underdogs and you can often find his thoughts, musings and picks at moneydogs.blogspot.com.