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Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Saint Mary’s Gaels Gambling & NCAA Handicapping Prediction

Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s CBB Picks

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and the Saint Mary’s Gaels are both looking to finish the season strong, and they’ll have the chance to do that against one another in the final outing of the 2013 regular season.  Despite their strong records, both teams have slipped just a bit as the year has come to an end. [ad-4468020]

Gonzaga (24-6, 14-3 WCC) @ Saint Mary’s (21-9, 11-6 WCC)
Saturday, March 1 10:00 PM ET ESPN2 @ McKeon Pavilion
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The Bulldogs, who are 24-6, have lost two of their last three, while the Gaels, 21-9, are 2-2 in their last four. Both teams are coming off of wins, and both will look to enter the postseason on the right note.

Gonzaga

The Gonzaga Bulldogs may have lost two of their last three, but they’re coming off of a big win over the Pacific Tigers—a 17-point win, to be exact.

Against Saint Mary’s, the Bulldogs will have a substantial advantage when it comes to offensive efficiency. On the year, Gonzaga is shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from the three-point line. Those numbers are good for eight and ninth in the country, respectively, and they’re the reason the team averages better than 77 points per game.
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Defensively, the objective is to shut down Brad Waldow and Stephen Holt. Saint Mary’s top two scorers are the only two players averaging double digits, and they approach the offensive very differently (one in the post, one on the perimeter) giving the team options all over the floor.

Saint Mary’s

The Saint Mary’s Gaels pulled out a tough win against Portland, but their effort and production needs to be at another level against the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

This match is all about confidence for Saint Mary’s. Gonzaga will enter Las Vegas as the top seed in the conference regardless of what happens on Saturday, but the Gaels need a boost of momentum if they have any hope of making the NCAA Tournament.

Consider this game a contest of wills. Gonzaga is the better team, but they don’t have nearly as much to play for as the Gaels. Combine that with the fact that Saint Mary’s has home-court advantage, playing in front of its crowd at McKeon Pavilion, and it’s easy to see how an upset could take place in the final game of the 2013 regular season.

Prediction: Saint Mary’s 79 – Gonzaga 78

By Cappers Picks

Articles on CappersPicks.com are written by Q (the Head Honcho) at Cappers Picks or by our resident "in house" handicapper Razor Ray Monohan! Enjoy the free picks folks! "Pad that bankroll one day at a time!"