It will be a clash between two outstanding offenses when the BYU Cougars (13-9, 5-2 WCC) take on the fourth-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs (19-2, 6-0 WCC) at Marriott Center. The game starts at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 31, 2019, and will air on ESPN2.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. BYU Cougars ATS Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Cougars were victorious over the Saint Mary’s Gaels 71-66, while the Bulldogs easily got past the Santa Clara Broncos 98-39.
Gonzaga played a flawless game. They had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 2.5 (better than their season average of 13.3) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 38.9 (above their season average of 32.1). For those same stats, Santa Clara was 24.8 and 14.3, respectively. BYU, meanwhile, played a nearly perfect game. They had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 2.8 (better than their season average of 14.1) and a free throw rate of 0.220 (matching their season average). Saint Mary’s was 19.0 and 0.153, respectively, for those same stats. BYU rallied around Yoeli Childs, who recorded 23 points and 11 rebounds. Josh Perkins, meanwhile played a key role for Gonzaga with 18 points and eight assists.
The Bulldogs dominated this series last year, emerging victorious in all three games. In the most recent matchup, Gonzaga won 74-54. Making free throws was one of Gonzaga’s largest strengths. They were 6-7 (85.7 percent), while the Cougars were just 4-5 (80.0 percent). This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. BYU currently ranks 57th in offensive efficiency and Gonzaga ranks 10th in defensive efficiency. Ball protection should be an advantage for the Bulldogs. They rank 8th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 14.7 percent), while the Cougars force the 65th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.4 percent).
Gonzaga Bulldogs at BYU Cougars ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Gonzaga, ATS Winner – Gonzaga, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Gonzaga averages 40.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 25th in the country. BYU ranks 217th in rebounds allowed per game (37.1).
- The Bulldogs rank 46th in steals per game (7.6) while the Cougars rank 142nd (6.0).
- Gonzaga averages 23.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 116th in the country. BYU ranks 168th in three pointers allowed per game (23.0).
- The Bulldogs average 18.8 assists per game, which ranks fifth in the NCAA. The Cougars rank 147th in assists allowed per game (13.4).
- Gonzaga ranks eighth in blocks per game (5.6) while BYU ranks 117th (3.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 28.8, up from 25.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cougars have scored an average of 76.0 points per game (6.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.8 points per game (7.0 below their season average).
