Washington State Cougars vs 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs

This NCAAB matchup features Washington State Cougars (11-16 (8-5)) traveling to take on No. 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs (24-2 (13-0)) at McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA. The Gonzaga hold a clear statistical edge this season, outperforming the Washington St by 18.1 points per game in scoring margin. That differential will be a key factor in this matchup. On offense, Gonzaga averages 83.5 points per game, which exceeds what the Washington St defense typically allows (73.9 PPG). That mismatch could give the home side opportunities to exploit. The Washington St offense puts up 73.1 PPG and faces a Gonzaga defense allowing 66.2 PPG. The visitors have the offensive firepower to stay in this one. Home court advantage is worth approximately 3.5 points in NCAAB, and Gonzaga will look to leverage their home crowd. The Gonzaga are heavy favorites in this one, with our model projecting a 16.3-point advantage. The 68% confidence interval ranges from Gonzaga winning by 29 to winning by 4. Our model aligns closely with the market on this one, suggesting the oddsmakers have priced this game efficiently. Look for small edges in the total and moneyline markets to capitalize on any remaining value.

Gonzaga has been one of the more consistent teams this season with a 24-2 (13-0) record. Their 24-win campaign speaks to the quality of play they've maintained throughout the year. At home, the Gonzaga have been particularly strong, using crowd energy and familiarity to their advantage. It's been a difficult season for Washington St at 11-16 (8-5). Traveling to face Gonzaga presents a significant challenge, though every game is a chance to build for the future. When these teams meet, the home team typically has the edge given the crowd advantage and familiarity factor. The team that controls tempo and limits turnovers will likely dictate the outcome of this matchup.