Portland vs. Gonzaga College Basketball prediction, preview
Gonzaga has been running through the West Coast Conference, per usual, with the exception of one game. The Bulldogs lost as 22-point favorites in Portland earlier this month in one of the most stunning upsets of the college basketball season. Not much goes into this handicap with the Pilots heading to Spokane, and the Zags looking to avenge their loss.
Gonzaga ranks elite on both the offensive and defensive ends, while Portland ranks outside of the top-200 teams on KenPom. It makes the earlier upset all that more head scratching, but it feels like the Bulldogs should almost be able to name their score in the re-match. The Zags are no strangers to laying a number this big, going 5-3 ATS when favored by 24.5 or more points this season. Gonzaga has also won 10 games this season by 27 or more points.
Prior to Portland’s recent win in this matchup, these teams had played each other eight times since 2021. Gonzaga won six of them by at least 27 points, with the closest margin being 15 points. Somehow Portland out-rebounded the Zags 32-27 when these teams met on February 4th. It could go down as one of the strangest results of the season. There’s simply no chance that happens this time around — Gonzaga ranks top-10 nationally in rebound rate, while the Pilots are 262nd in rebound rate.
On a loaded Wednesday card, I wouldn’t say this is my favorite game on the board, but situationally it’s a terrific spot to back a huge favorite. The Bulldogs won’t be looking past the Pilots this time around. I’ll lay it with Gonzaga to flex and run up the score.
