The BYU Cougars (22-8, 11-6 WCC) and No. 6 Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-4, 16-1 WCC) will battle at Marriott Center to bring the regular season to a conclusion. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN2.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. BYU Cougars Betting Preview
The last time the Bulldogs played, they defeated the San Diego Toreros, 77-72. With 16 points and eight rebounds, Rui Hachimura had a solid game for Gonzaga. Gonzaga played a perfect game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.382 (above their season average of 0.226) and a turnover percentage of 12.0 (better than their season average of 13.9). For those same stats, San Diego was 0.293 and 14.1, respectively.
The Cougars will look to keep it rolling after beating the Portland Pilots in their last game, 72-60. BYU rallied around Yoeli Childs, who was the teams high scorer with 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting. BYU dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.9 (below their season average of 23.3) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.516 (below their season average of 0.550). Portland was 3.2 and 0.463, respectively, for those same stats.
Points could be at a premium as a pair of the nations premier defenses square off. BYU currently ranks 41st in defensive efficiency (97.7) and Gonzaga is 25th (96.8). Moreover, the Bulldogs, who rank 36th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.2 percent), will face a tough challenge against the Cougars, who rank eighth in defensive rebounding percentage (77.6 percent).
Johnathan Williams has taken his game to another level over the last five games for Gonzaga, averaging 13.0 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The Bulldogs won 68-60. The Bulldogs played a flawless game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 8.2 and a solid offensive rebounding percentage of 28.9. The Cougars were 16.7 and 22.6, respectively, for those same stats. In the loss, Childs had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. BYU Cougars Free Prediction
Free Prediction: SU Winner – BYU, ATS Winner – BYU, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Bulldogs rank 26th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while the Cougars rank 102nd (12.7).
- Gonzaga ranks 31st in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while BYU ranks 53rd (2.8).
- Gonzaga ranks 13th in rebounds per game (40.0) while BYU ranks 243rd (33.2).
- The Bulldogs rank 66th in three pointers attempted per game (24.4) while the Cougars rank 257th (18.7).
- Gonzaga ranks 21st in steals allowed per game (5.0) while BYU ranks 114th (6.3).
Betting Trends:
- The Cougars average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.6, down from 8.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 76.6 points per game (8.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 62.2 points per game (5.6 below their season average).
