BYU will host No. 8 Gonzaga on Thursday, Jan. 12. The game is scheduled for 9:30 ET while airing on ESPN. Gonzaga enters this game as a 7-point road favorite with the total set at 153. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the BYU vs. Gonzaga prediction and game preview below.
BYU vs. Gonzaga Odds
- Spread: Gonzaga -7
- Total: 153
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Game Info
- Date: Thursday, Jan. 12
- Time: 9:30 ET
- Location: Marriott Center — Provo, UT
- TV: ESPN
BYU vs. Gonzaga Game Preview
Gonzaga is ranked No. 8 in the latest AP poll while holding onto a 14-3 record. The Bulldogs boast one of the best offenses in the country, ranking No. 4 in adjusted offensive efficiency. Gonzaga has also played one of the most difficult schedules in the nation up to this point. That resulted in a few tough losses against top-10 teams like Texas and Purdue, but there’s a good chance the Bulldogs are more battle-tested because of those defeats.
BYU is No. 75 in the nation according to KenPom.com. The Cougars are the inverse of Gonzaga, as they get the job done with defense. KenPom has BYU ranked No. 24 in adjusted defensive efficiency, which has been evident lately. In their last five games, the Cougars have allowed just one opponent to score more than 60 points. However, that could fly out of the window against Drew Timme and this Gonzaga offensive machine. Can the Cougars slow down the Bulldogs enough to give themselves a chance at the upset?
BYU vs. Gonzaga Prediction
Gonzaga will be the toughest team BYU faces this season. However, the Cougars have been decent against quality teams this year, beating Utah and Creighton while playing USC and San Diego State close.
On the other hand, Gonzaga hasn’t been blowing the doors off its competition. The Bulldogs narrowly beat San Francisco 77-75 and Santa Clara 81-76 last week. BYU is ranked higher than both of those squads (according to KenPom), and you better believe the Cougars will have their home arena ready to go for this game. People in Provo buy season ticket packages just to ensure that they have a ticket to this game, so you better believe BYU will have the energy to compete. That should be enough for the Cougars to keep this somewhat close.
Score Prediction: Gonzaga 80 BYU 76
The Pick: BYU +7 | -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook