30 second game guide
Bring’em Out: No. 13/9 (AP/Coaches polls) Gonzaga 21-4 (9-1 WCC) vs. Loyola Marymount 13-13 (4-6 WCC) at Albert Gersten Pavilion Thursday at 6:05 p.m. on FOX.
Watch for: The Zags will move one step closer to winning a tenth-straight WCC title Thursday. At this point in the season, (with the exception of Saint Mary’s and Portland) the rest of the conference teams are just trying to make it to the finish line. None have a prayer to reach the postseason, and if GU jumps out front early, all motivation evaporates to compete the rest of the game.
Fear: The only thing to fear in this contest is an injury suffered by a key Gonzaga player. Other than that, expect the modest Vegas prediction of a 12-point Zags victory to hold up.
Respect: You have to respect the Bulldogs' ability to take full advantage of a loss (at USF). Coming out on the wrong end of the OT battle at War Memorial Gym last month was exactly what GU needed to re-sharpen the tools heading down the home stretch. Look for Gonzaga to use that fire and momentum to soar through the rest WCC regular season, the conference tournament and hopefully through the first couple rounds of the NCAA’s.
Random Stuff: Gonzaga owns a 50-22 advantage in the all-time series, and has won 29 of the last 31 meetings. GU blew out LMU 85-69 in Spokane on January 23rd. If the Bulldogs sweep the weekend, (LMU, Pepperdine) they claim their 10th consecutive West Coast Conference title. The Zags can clinch sooner with SMC and Portland losses.
