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The No. 12 Gonzaga Bulldogs return to the McCarthey Athletic Center tonight for a late-season clash against a Washington State team that has struggled to find its footing away from Pullman. Tip-off is set for 11:00 PM ET on ESPN2 as Mark Few’s squad looks to build on a dominant 20-point win over Oregon State. The Bulldogs are currently 23-2 and sitting in a tight race for the WCC crown, trailing Santa Clara by just half a game. After a jarring upset loss to Portland recently, the Bulldogs seem to have regained their focus, specifically on the defensive end where they tightened up considerably in their last outing.
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Washington State enters this matchup with an 11-15 record and a difficult 2-9 mark on the road. The Cougars are coming off a high-scoring 96-92 loss to Santa Clara, a game where they showed they can run with elite offenses but lacked the defensive resistance to close out the win. This is a classic “revenge” spot for David Riley’s group after losing to Gonzaga by 21 points back in mid-January, but doing so in one of the most hostile environments in college basketball is a tall order. The Bulldogs haven’t lost a game on their home floor all season, and they aren’t likely to start tonight with the conference standings this congested.
Gonzaga vs Washington State Odds
These lines represent the current market consensus for tonight’s action, though you should always monitor the latest college basketball odds for any late movement before tip-off.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Washington State | +1308 | +20.5 (-113) | O 156.5 (-114) |
| Gonzaga | -3556 | -20.5 (-112) | U 156.5 (-118) |
Washington State Betting Form
The Cougars are an interesting case because their offensive metrics are actually quite strong for a sub-.500 team. They rank in the top 50 nationally in effective field goal percentage (55.8%) and shoot a respectable 47.3% from the floor. Eemeli Yalaho and Ace Glass have been carrying the scoring load lately, combining for 41 points in their last game. When they are hitting shots, they can be a nightmare for favorites to cover against, which is likely why they are 4-1 against the spread in their last five contests. You can track their season-long trends on the Washington State stats and results page.
The problem for Wazzu has consistently been the “little stuff” and finishing plays on the defensive end. They allowed 96 points to Santa Clara, which is simply too high a bar for their offense to clear consistently. Fatigue might also be creeping in; the team has admitted to playing “30 or 35-minute games” instead of a full 40. Given the depth and pace of Gonzaga, any mental lapses tonight will be punished immediately. Be sure to check the Washington State injury report to ensure their rotation players are fully available for this high-tempo matchu
Gonzaga Betting Form
Gonzaga is led by big man Graham Ike, who is playing some of the best basketball of his career. Ike is coming off a 35-point masterclass against Oregon State where he shot 13 of 18 from the field. He is the engine of an offense that averages 87.6 points per game, ranking 17th in the country. The Bulldogs play with a relentless effort and rarely beat themselves, evidenced by tying a program record with only two turnovers in their last game. For a deeper look at their dominance, visit the Gonzaga schedule and stats page.
While the offense is elite, coach Mark Few has been vocal about the need for defensive consistency. After allowing Portland to shoot nearly 60% in an upset loss, the Bulldogs responded by holding Oregon State to 44%. They are still playing without forward Braden Huff, who has missed the last seven games with a knee injury. His absence has forced Tyon Grant-Foster into a larger role off the bench, and while the secondary scoring has been a bit hit-or-miss, the starting unit is efficient enough to mask those gaps. Keep an eye on the Gonzaga injury report for any updates on Huff’s return timeline.
Gonzaga vs Washington Matchup Breakdown
This game will likely be decided in the paint and at the free-throw line. Graham Ike dominated the first meeting this season with 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Washington State hasn’t shown much improvement in their interior defense since then. The Cougars want to turn this into a shooting contest, but if they can’t stop Ike from drawing fouls and living at the stripe, they’ll find themselves in an early hole. Gonzaga ranks 30th in effective field goal percentage, meaning they don’t need many “second chances” to put up a huge number.
- Gonzaga is a perfect 17-0 at home this season.
- Washington State is 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
- The Bulldogs average 87.6 points per game, while the Cougars average 77.5.
- The total has gone over in several of Gonzaga’s recent high-paced matchups.
If you are looking to refine your process, checking out a college basketball betting guide can help you identify why these large spreads are often traps for casual bettors. In this case, the style clash suggests a high-possession game where the superior depth of the Bulldogs eventually wears down a thin Cougars bench.
Gonzaga vs Washington Predictions and Best Bets
The 20.5-point spread is massive, and while Washington State has been good at covering lately, I find it hard to bet against Gonzaga in this building. The Bulldogs are 21-2 as favorites and they are clearly motivated to stay in the hunt for the WCC top seed. Washington State’s defense is prone to total collapses, and if Gonzaga shoots anywhere near their season average, this could get ugly fast. I think Gonzaga wins by 22-25 points, barely covering the number.
However, the more confident play for me is the Over. Both teams rank highly in offensive efficiency and neither seems particularly interested in slowing the game down. Gonzaga wants to run, and Washington State’s best chance of staying competitive is to trade buckets and hope for a hot shooting night from Glass and Yalaho. With a projected score in the 90-70 range, the 156.5 total feels a few points too low. Perhaps the market is overestimating the impact of the Cougars’ road struggles on their scoring output.
Best Bet: Over 156.5 (-114).
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