Washington St. Cougars vs
Gonzaga BulldogsPredictions & Preview

Injury-Plagued Washington State Faces Tough Challenge Against Undefeated Gonzaga in Evergreen State Showdown

In an upcoming match between Washington State and Gonzaga, the two teams from the Evergreen State will face off on the hardwood. Washington State is coming off a close loss to Pacific while Gonzaga defeated San Diego in their previous game. Gonzaga is favored to win, despite Washington State holding an overall advantage in the series. The betting line currently stands at Gonzaga -17.5.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cougars +850 | Bulldogs -1667
• Spread: Cougars +17.5 (-110) | Bulldogs -17.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 164.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Gonzaga will win straight-up is 94%.

Washington St. vs Gonzaga Stats

Washington St. Cougars

Washington State suffered a tough loss to Pacific in their last game, falling in overtime on a last-second shot. Despite the loss, the Cougars have a 13-4 overall record and are 3-1 in the WCC. Led by Ethan Price's 28 points and eight rebounds, Washington State underperformed against Pacific, shooting 45.2% from the field but allowing their opponents to shoot 55.2%. The team averages 82.3 points per game, ranking 44th in scoring offense, while collecting 37.4 rebounds and dishing out 17.2 assists per game. Defensively, they are giving up an average of 75.2 points per game. Nate Calmese leads six players averaging in double figures with 16.2 points and 4.4 assists. Cedric Coward and Dane Erikstrup provide additional scoring options, while several other players need to be efficient offensively for the team to succeed. Washington State ranks 23rd in field goal percentage (49.2%) and 66th in three-point percentage (36.6%). Several players are sidelined with injuries, impacting the team's roster. With a power ranking of 111, the Cougars rank 43rd in offense and 281st in defense. They have a 13-4 record and have covered the spread 11 times this season. Defensively, Washington State allows opponents to shoot 43.26% from the field and 68.33% from the free-throw line, while also giving up an average of 30.20% from three-point range. They average 32.35 defensive rebounds per game.

Gonzaga Bulldogs Analysis

In their previous game, the Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated San Diego to extend their win streak to four games, improving their overall record to 13-4 and 4-0 in the WCC. The Bulldogs dominated the game, leading by as many as 22 points before allowing the Toreros to narrow the margin towards the end. The team's strong performance was highlighted by shooting 45.2% from the field and a significant rebounding advantage. Ben Gregg led the team with 23 points in the win. Gonzaga has been excelling offensively this season, averaging 87.8 points per game, ranking 7th in the nation. They also perform well in rebounding and assists. With a power ranking of 83, the Bulldogs have a potent offense (#7) but are ranked 124th on defense. Their shooting percentages and rebounding statistics are among the top in the nation. Gonzaga's stellar performance at the free throw line, converting 80.9% of their chances, places them 8th in the nation. Overall, the Bulldogs are a strong and well-rounded team, making them a formidable opponent for any matchup.

Injury-plagued Washington State faces tough challenge against undefeated Gonzaga

Both teams have demonstrated strong offensive capabilities, with both ranking in the top 50 in the nation in scoring offense. However, the Cougars are currently facing challenges due to key injuries, specifically to Coward and Watts, who collectively contribute 30 points per game. In contrast, Gonzaga lacks depth in their rotation but compensates with experience. The Bulldogs excel at free throws and boast a strong defensive game, which sets them apart from the Cougars. Gonzaga holds an undefeated record of 8-0 in Spokane, with their only close game resulting in a victory. Notably, they kicked off the season with a decisive 38-point win over Baylor. Taking into account Washington State's injury issues and Gonzaga's strong performance at home, the advantage lies with the hosts.

Sources: [ 4 ] [ 5 ] [ 7 ]