- We’ve made our Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s prediction for Saturday night
- Oddsmakers are forecasting a tight game between two Western rivals
- Read below for Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s prediction, odds and player props
The biggest rivalry in the West Coast Conference takes center stage on Saturday night as the No. 23 Gonzaga Bulldogs battle the No. 17 Saint Mary’s Gaels. Tip-off is set for 10 PM ET from the University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, California. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
The Gaels come into this matchup as 2.5-point favorites with the total set at 141.5 at most sportsbooks. Saint Mary’s has already clinched the WCC regular season title outright for the first time since 2011-12. The Zags sit 13-2 in WCC play and are looking to avoid the regular season sweep after dropping the first meetings.
Let’s dive into our Gongzaga vs St. Mary’s prediction, as we breakdown the odds and best player props for Saturday night college basketball.
Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga Bulldogs | +3.0 (-110) | +126 | Over 141.0 (-110) |
| Saint Mary’s Gaels | -3.0 (-110) | -150 | Under 141.0 (-110) |
In the Saturday college basketball odds, Saint Mary’s is a -150 favorite on the moneyline, giving them 60% implied probability to defeat Gonzaga.
Odds as of March 2, 2024, at Caesars Sportsbook. Claim the Caesars promo code to bet on Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s. Bettors in NC can pre-register at the Caesars Sportsbook app in NC for a lucrative sign-up offer.
Zags Betting Analysis
Gonzaga bounced back from their loss to the Gaels by ripping off 7 straight wins to close the regular season. They went on the road Thursday and hammered San Francisco 86-68 led by 26 points from forward Graham Ike.
The Zags used a 33-8 run in the second half to pull away for the comfortable victory. Gonzaga sits 23-6 overall and 13-2 in WCC play heading into the finale.
Gonzaga boasts one of college basketball’s most explosive offenses, putting up over 86 PPG (5th nationally). They are led by forward Graham Ike, who is averaging 16.7 PPG and 7.2 RPG while shooting over 62% from the floor.
Junior Anton Watson chips in 14.6 PPG and 7.3 RPG while guards Nolan Hickman and Rasir Bolton add a combined 27 PPG. The Zags can light up the scoreboard but also battle on the glass, ranking 10th nationally in rebound rate.
Gaels Betting Analysis
Saint Mary’s is playing arguably their best basketball of the Bennett era, reeling off 16 straight wins including road victories over New Mexico and Gonzaga. They dominated Pepperdine in their last outing 83-57 behind 17 points and 11 assists from sophomore guard Augustas Marciulionis.
Six Gaels finished in double figures in a game they led wire-to-wire. Saint Mary’s is an impressive 15-0 at home this season.
Augustas Marciulionis making the tough shots look easy! He drains the circus shot, and gets hacked! #GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/ZOTU6hMGHM
— Saint Mary’s Hoops (@saintmaryshoops) March 1, 2024
Saint Mary’s is powered by one of the most efficient offenses in the country, led by sophomore guards Aidan Mahaney (13.6 PPG) and Augustas Marciulionis (12.5 PPG, 5.1 APG). Junior forward Mitchell Saxen adds 11.5 PPG on 59% shooting while providing strong rebounding at over seven boards per contest.
The Gaels play at one of the slowest paces in the country and rely on stingy defense, allowing just 58.1 PPG (2nd nationally).
In terms of injuries, Saint Mary’s will be without starting forward Joshua Jefferson, who is out for the season with a knee injury. Jefferson was averaging 10.2 points and 6.5 rebounds per game before going down. His absence leaves a hole in the Gaels’ frontcourt.
Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s Prediction
The Gaels took the first meeting 64-62 as 4.5-point underdogs, covering the number on a late 3-pointer. Saint Mary’s is an impressive 16-12 ATS this season including 6-1 ATS over their last seven contests. Gonzaga has struggled against the number at 13-15 ATS as oddsmakers typically overvalue them. The Zags have covered in just three of their last 10 games played in March.
The total has gone over in five of Gonzaga’s last six overall. However, Saint Mary’s games tend to play under at their slower pace. The under is 4-0 in the Gaels’ last 4 at home. When these teams met in Spokane, the game finished with just 126 total points, well below this posted total of 141.5.
With Jefferson sidelined for Saint Mary’s, I give Gonzaga the edge in this revenge spot to avoid the regular season sweep. However, the Gaels have proven extremely tough to beat at home.
In a rivalry game between top 25 teams, expect another close battle. I’ll take Gonzaga plus the points along with the under on the total in what should be another defensive struggle decided in the final minutes.
Saturday College Basketball Picks:
- Gonzaga +3 (-110)
- Under 141 Points (-110)
The highly anticipated matchup between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Saint Mary’s Gaels on Saturday, March 2nd is sure to be a thrilling game for college basketball fans. Both teams have had successful seasons so far, with Gonzaga ranked as one of the top teams in the nation and Saint Mary’s not far behind.
In terms of predictions, Gonzaga comes into this game as the clear favorite. The Bulldogs have been dominant all season, boasting an impressive record and a high-powered offense led by standout players such as Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke. Their depth and talent make them a tough team to beat, especially on their home court.
On the other hand, Saint Mary’s has also had a solid season, with key wins over top teams like Nevada and BYU. The Gaels are known for their disciplined defense and efficient offense, led by star guard Jordan Ford. While they may be the underdogs in this matchup, they have the potential to pull off an upset if they can execute their game plan effectively.
As for the odds, sportsbooks currently have Gonzaga as the heavy favorite to win this game. The Bulldogs are expected to cover the spread and come out on top, but anything can happen in college basketball. Saint Mary’s will need to bring their A-game and play mistake-free basketball if they want to compete with Gonzaga.
In terms of player props, keep an eye on Rui Hachimura for Gonzaga. The versatile forward has been a force on both ends of the court this season, averaging over 20 points per game and showcasing his ability to score in a variety of ways. Look for him to have a big game against Saint Mary’s and potentially lead the Bulldogs to victory.
For Saint Mary’s, Jordan Ford will be the player to watch. The dynamic guard has been a scoring machine for the Gaels, averaging over 20 points per game and showing off his ability to create shots for himself and his teammates. If Ford can get hot early and set the tone for Saint Mary’s offense, they could have a chance to pull off the upset.
Overall, the Gonzaga vs Saint Mary’s game on Saturday, March 2nd is shaping up to be a must-watch matchup between two talented teams. While Gonzaga is the favorite, don’t count out Saint Mary’s just yet. With high stakes and bragging rights on the line, both teams will be looking to make a statement and come out on top in this exciting showdown.
