SAINT MARY’S (CA) GAELS (17-3, 5-0 in WCC) at GONZAGA BULLDOGS (13-7, 3-2 in WCC)

Sportsbook.com Line/Total: Gonzaga -3.5 & 148.5

 

Look out Gonzaga, the Gael force is coming! Just to remind everyone in the West Coast Conference (as well as the rest of college basketball) that last season was not a fluke, the Gaels of Saint Mary’s are back with a vengeance. Following last season’s NCAA Tournament run that ended with a loss in the Sweet 16 round to Baylor, the Gaels have stormed to 17 wins in its first 20 games this year, including a 5-0 mark in the West Coast Conference. Thursday when they invade Gonzaga’s McCarthey Athletic Center, Saint Mary’s will do so with a team that is ranked in the Top 10 nationally in three offensive categories. The Zags rank eighth in scoring (82.5 PPG), third in passing (18.6 APG), and third in shooting (50.6% FG).

 

The Saint Mary’s attack starts with its backcourt of senior Mickey McConnell and sophomore Matthew Dellavedova. McConnell leads the team in points (14.6), assists (6.5) and minutes played (35.5), all while shooting nearly 47% from beyond the arc, and over 51% from the floor, an amazing number for a player who makes his living outside of the paint. McConnell also knows how to protect the basketball, as he sports an assist-to-turnover ratio of nearly 3-to-1. Dellavedova (13.2 PPG, 5.9 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.2 SPG) is a big guard from down under -- Maryborough, Australia to be exact -- who can do a little bit of everything. At nearly 39%, Dellavedova is almost as proficient from beyond the arc as McConnell. Junior forward Rob Jones (14.0 PPG, 7.3 RPG) leads the team in rebounding. With a team shooting percentage of just about 50%, and a team three-point FG Pct. just below 40%, it’s a pretty safe bet that most of Saint Mary’s rebounds come courtesy of the OTHER team’s missed shots. The Gaels are coming off of an 89-70 non-conference road loss to Vanderbilt last Saturday, and while all of the team’s losses have come to non-league opponents, Saint Mary’s did battle Mountain West-leading BYU (now 20-1 after defeating San Diego State on Wednesday night) before losing by just a point, 74-73.

 

After a rocky beginning that saw them start the season 4-5 and falling out of the Top 25, the Gonzaga Bulldogs had seemed to right the ship, winning nine straight between December 16 and January 15, with big non-conference victories over 2010 NCAA Tournament teams Baylor, Xavier and Oklahoma State. But two disappointing conference road defeats at Santa Clara and San Francisco have knocked the Bulldogs record back to 13-7, and 3-2 in conference play. Simply put, the Bulldogs had better start showing a lot more bark if they hope to make a 13th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Zags have gotten strong production from senior guard Steven Gray, who is leading the team in scoring (15.2) while shooting over 40% from beyond the arc. Long and lean 7-footer Robert Sacre (13.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.9 BPG) is leading the team in rebounds and blocks, while sophomore forward Elias Harris (12.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG) like Sacre, is shooting over 51% from the field. A loss would put Gonzaga three games out of first place, providing a clear advantage for the Gaels as they look to make it back–to-back WCC Championships, further breaking the stranglehold that Gonzaga has held on the conference for years.

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