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Gonzaga vs San Francisco Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions

Top-Ranked Bulldogs Perfect in West Coast Conference Play

WCC Showcase a Classic Bubble Game

The West Coast Conference is easy for people in the East or Deep South to ignore, but bubble teams in those regions will be paying very close attention to No. 1 Gonzaga’s game in San Francisco on Thursday night, for reasons which are obvious.

San Francisco is squarely on the NCAA Tournament bubble. The outcome of this game could determine if the Dons get in as an at-large team and factor in the March Madness odds or if they have to win the WCC tournament to qualify for March Madness.

Gonzaga vs San Francisco Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions
Chris Gardner/Getty Images/AFP

Let’s take a closer look at this matchup in the sportsbook and determine which way to bet online.

Gonzaga: A Cut Above

This is not a criticism of the West Coast Conference. It’s a reflection of just how good Gonzaga is. Gonzaga would be winning the Pac-12 Conference or the Big Ten or the Big East. The Zags have won 16 in a row and haven’t lost since Dec. 4 against Alabama.

Their offense has been frighteningly good, because the Zags have so many good options: Star freshman Chet Holmgren, veteran Drew Timme, guard Andrew Nembhard, and the list goes on. Gonzaga doesn’t rely on one player or one form of offense.

The Bulldogs can succeed in the paint, on the perimeter, with dribble penetration, with half-court sets, any which way you like. Gonzaga has won each game by double digits since the Alabama loss.

Winning by 10 rates as a comparatively close game for Gonzaga these days, which shows just how high the bar is for this program, a clear Final Four favorite in 2022.

Dons in Must-Win Territory

This team has weakened its bubble position in recent weeks. The Dons lost to Saint Mary’s following a loss to the Portland Pilots earlier in the month.

San Francisco did beat Santa Clara, but that’s simply not enough to move the needle in the West Coast Conference or in relationship to the Dons’ NCAA Tournament prospects.

San Francisco struggles to defend sound, well-structured offenses. USF has an exciting backcourt with great shotmakers, but the weaknesses on defense have allowed opponents such as Saint Mary’s to mount huge comebacks.

Saint Mary’s came back from 23 points down to defeat USF a few weeks ago. San Francisco has to be able to toughen up on defense and get late-game stops in order to win the big, defining games it usually loses.

USF’s defensive wobbles make it advisable to lean to the over in this game.

Gonzaga vs San Francisco Head-to-Head

The Dons went to Spokane several weeks ago and got off to a 15-4 lead, but Gonzaga patiently reined in the Dons and outworked them over the rest of the game, winning 78-62.

It wasn’t an easy game, but Gonzaga still won by a large margin after trailing by double figures early. The game reflected just how much the Zags are ahead of everyone else in the WCC. San Francisco has its work cut out in this game.

Gonzaga at San Francisco Game Information

  • Game: Gonzaga Bulldogs (23-2) at San Francisco Dons (21-7)
  • Location: War Memorial at Sobrato Center, San Francisco
  • Day/Time: Thursday, 9 p.m. ET
  • Television: ESPN2

Gonzaga vs San Francisco Betting Lines

Gonzaga vs San Francisco Prediction

Gonzaga just doesn’t lose to WCC opponents, and take note for college basketball picks, it doesn’t ordinarily win by scant margins.

San Francisco could be very competitive for 25 or 30 minutes, but it’s so hard to stay with Gonzaga for the full 40 minutes. The Bulldogs will pull away at the end.

Pick: Gonzaga Bulldogs -10

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