Gonzaga vs. BYU Prediction, Game Preview


Gonzaga vs. BYU prediction and game preview. The West Coast Conference-champion Bulldogs try to cap a perfect 30-0 regular season by beating Cougars on Saturday night.


Gonzaga vs. BYU Game Preview

When: Saturday, Feb. 25 – 10 p.m. ET
Where: McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, Wash.
TV Broadcast: ESPN2

Only BYU stands between Gonzaga and an undefeated regular season, something that looks pretty but won’t satisfy the Bulldogs. Nothing short of winning a national championship, or at least finally getting coach Mark Few to the Final Four, will do that.

The Zags have their doubters considering the competition in the West Coast Conference, but that’s not their fault. Not to mention, Gonzaga also owns victories over Arizona, Florida and Iowa State in non-conference play. BYU didn’t pose much of a threat in the first meeting, either.

The Bulldogs led by 16 at halftime on their way to an 85-75 road victory on Feb. 2. Nigel Williams-Goss finished with 33 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals to lead the charge as BYU shot just 35.8 percent from the field.

Cougars freshman guard TJ Haws exploded for 29 points in that contest, and they’ll likely need him to do even more if they want to have any chance of leaving Spokane with a win.

Gonzaga Wins If …

… they keep doing what it’s been doing. It’s really that simple. Gonzaga ranks third in the nation with a 51.8 field goal percentage and cashed in on a season-high 66.1 percent of its attempts in Thursday’s 96-38 rout of San Diego. The Zags also rank second in field goal percentage defense with opponents shooting just 36.5, and they’re giving up the fourth-fewest points per game at 60.9.

BYU Wins If …

… everything goes its way. Not only are the Cougars going to have to play nearly perfect, they’ll need Gonzaga to make plenty of mistakes to give them extra possessions. So, the 16 turnovers BYU had in Thursday’s win over Portland? Not going to cut it. But another effort like Elijah Bryant’s career-high 39 points sure would help.

Matchup To Watch

Gonzaga vs. history

An undefeated regular season doesn’t guarantee a national championship, but it would put Gonzaga in a select history. Will the Zags fold under the pressure? Probably not.

Betting Odds

Spread: Gonzaga -20.5
Over/Under: No line as of post

Gonzaga vs. BYU Prediction

The Kennel will be going crazy during and after the Bulldogs move to 30-0. Williams-Goss will help Gonzaga build an early lead that will bury BYU.

Gonzaga vs. BYU final score prediction: Gonzaga 88, BYU 60

MORE: Kentucky vs. Florida Prediction, Game Preview