CLICK HERE FOR THE BEST NCAA BASKETBALL CAPPERS ON THE PLANET & DAILY PLAYS!! \u2014><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Time<\/strong> 9:00 P.M., Thursday, February 18th<\/p>\n Zags vs. Loyola Odds<\/strong> The #9 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs face the Lions of Loyola Marymount at Gersten Pavilion in Los Angeles tonight in a 9:05 P.M tipoff. The Zags currently have a strangle hold on the lead in the West Coast Conference while the Lions will look to play the role of spoiler as a prohibitive underdog.<\/p>\n Gonzaga is currently the highest ranked team from a mid major conference in the country. They climbed their way into the top ten by winning nine out of their last 10 games with the only blemish being a 77-81 loss to San Francisco in OT. They are 21-4 overall and 9-1 in the conference. In a conference showdown with St. Mary\u2019s (21-5, 8-3 in the WCC) a week ago, they left little doubt as to which is the better team with an 80-61 victory. Leading by only three at the half, the Bulldogs completely shut the Gaels down in the second, outscoring them 41-25 with freshman F Elias Harris leading the way with 19 points. In their last game they rolled over last place San Diego 82-65 as Junior G Steven Gray scored 19 points and Senior G Matt Bouldin added 16 in the win. Through 25 games Bouldin is the team\u2019s leading scorer, averaging 16.8 points per game and Harris is averaging 15.7 points and 7.8 rebounds.<\/p>\n Loyola Marymount started the season by losing seven out of their first ten games and has never been able to climb out of the early hole they dug. They have battled back to .500 at 13-13 overall and are 4-6 in the WCC which is not bad considering they were picked to finish last in the conference. In their first meeting with Gonzaga back on January 23rd the Lions hung tough in the first half keeping the game tied at 42. They unfortunately had no answer for the faster and stronger Zags in the second half, losing 69-85. To have any chance in tonight\u2019s game they will need a huge effort from sophomore F Drew Viney and Junior G Vernon Teel. Viney is the team\u2019s leading scorer, averaging 16.9 points per game and rebounder with 6.9 per game. Teel is averaging 14.9 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.<\/p>\n With Gonzaga all but locking up the WCC and having bigger things on their mind, there could be a tendency to look past this game which could keep things close. The Lions have over achieved all season long and tonight could be their opportunity to throw a scare into a top 10 team.<\/p>\n Betting Trends:<\/strong><\/p>\n Gonzaga is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
\nLoyola Marymount +12 (-110)
\nGonzaga -12 (-110)
\nOver\/Under 153<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/banners.bmaker.ag\/images\/book_basketball_260_180_0.gif?cmpid=3052_1355\")
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\nGonzaga is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Loyola Marymount
\nThe total has gone UNDER in 4 of Loyola Marymount’s last 5 games
\nThe total has gone UNDER in 4 of Loyola Marymount’s last 5 games at home
\nGonzaga is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Loyola Marymount
\nGonzaga is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games
\nThe total has gone OVER in 4 of Loyola Marymount’s last 5 games when playing Gonzaga
\nLoyola Marymount is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home<\/p>\n