Gonzaga vs San Francisco: Betting Odds, Picks, and Predictions (2/24/22)

Gonzaga vs San Francisco Betting Odds

The West Coast Conference is as talented as it has ever been. There are four legitimate at-large contenders, including these two.

Of course, everybody knows Gonzaga. The Bulldogs have been blowing through the conference as they do every season. But this year it has been different, as Gonzaga has had a conference-only 29.6-point margin of victory, which is higher than any team in college hoops history.

However, San Francisco is not to be messed with. Behind a backcourt tandem of Jamaree Bouyea and Khalil Shabazz, the Dons are electric on offense and competitive in all aspects of the game.

However, can San Fran keep up with Gonzaga?

Gonzaga Bulldogs Odds

Gonzaga is so dominant.

This is nothing new, as the Bulldogs consistently blow through the WCC year-in and year-out.

Chet Holmgren has been a revelation. The 7-footer mostly runs the five for Gonzaga but can do it all. He handles the ball well in dribble penetration, can shoot the 3 (44.6% this season), and is a dominant rim protector (12% block rate, 12th nationally among D-I players).

Holmgren’s efficiency stands out the most. His 73 2P% is seventh among D-I players, and his 71.9% true shooting is fourth among D-I players. He scores more efficiently than any player in college hoops.

Andrew Nembhard and Drew Timme continue to dominate as well. Nembhard is perhaps the most underrated point guard in the nation – he combines scoring with court vision better than most guards in the nation. Timme’s footwork makes him deadly working the pick-and-roll with Nembhard but equally as deadly in post-up situations.

The defense is also surprisingly good. Mark Few’s Bulldogs haven’t paced the nation in effective field goal percentage allowed since 2017 when the Bulldogs were national runner-ups. But they’re on pace to do just that this season.

That’s likely because of Holmgren’s rim protection, as Gonzaga has never had a defensive interior presence like him.

San Francisco Dons Odds

San Francisco is crazy fun to watch.

Jamaree Bouyea is your favorite basketball player’s favorite basketball player. He’s so smooth handling the ball and can score with the best of them. On the season, he’s averaging 17.2 points, five rebounds, and four assists per game.

He also is one of the best shooters in the conference, if not the nation.

Jamaree Bouyea!

San Francisco up big on BYU at the half. pic.twitter.com/cobD0BuhOQ

— Heat Check CBB (@HeatCheckCBB) February 4, 2022

Khalil Shabazz is the Robin to his Batman. Shabazz is averaging 13.2 points per game while being an equally deadly shooter and ball-handler.

Combine those two with center Yauhen Massalski – who has a 61.5% effective field goal and ranks top-50 nationally in block rate – and you have the foundation for a great team.

Unfortunately, the Dons have two bad losses that have hurt their at-large bid. The Dons couldn’t muster 50 points against Grand Canyon in non-conference play and recently suffered a home loss to Portland.

I wouldn’t doubt the Dons’ talent, but the resume is questionable.

Gonzaga vs San Francisco Prediction and Pick

My pick: Gonzaga -9.5 (-110 at FanDuel)

This might be the only time until the Elite Eight you can lay single digits with Gonzaga

It’s worth it, too. Gonzaga is 5-1 against the spread on the road this season. Meanwhile, San Francisco is just 6-11 against the spread at home and 1-2 against the spread as an underdog.

Gonzaga has been laying waste to the WCC, and this game should be no different. The only difference this that we’re getting the Bulldogs at a discount.

Hammer Gonzaga on Thursday night.