The Gonzaga Bulldogs, currently ranked 6th in the NET rankings, are set to host the Pacific Tigers in a non-conference matchup, with the Bulldogs looking to extend their 25-2 record and solidify their position on the top-16 seed line, having gone 13-1 in the WCC conference. Over their last five games, Gonzaga has been averaging 82.2 points per game, outscoring their opponents by an average of 11.8 points, with a 4-1 record in that stretch, including a 94-86 win over Santa Clara and an 83-53 victory against Washington State. In contrast, Pacific has been struggling, with a 17-11 overall record and an 8-7 record in the WCC conference, needing quality wins to build a tournament resume, and averaging 71.2 points per game over their last five, with a 2-3 record in that stretch.
Gonzaga's recent form has been impressive, with the team scoring 80 or more points in four of their last five games, including an 81-61 win over Oregon State, and their only loss in that stretch was an 80-87 defeat at the hands of Portland. The Bulldogs have been led by their high-powered offense, which has been clicking on all cylinders, with the team shooting 49.5% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range over their last five games. On the other hand, Pacific has been struggling to find consistency, with the team scoring 70 or more points in just two of their last five games, including a 92-59 win over Pepperdine, and the team has been held to 65 points or less in two of their last three games.
The matchup between Gonzaga's offense and Pacific's defense will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the game, with the Bulldogs averaging 82.2 points per game over their last five, and the Tigers allowing an average of 69.6 points per game over their last five. Gonzaga's leading scorer has been on a hot streak, averaging 22.5 points per game over his last five, including a 30-point performance against Washington State, and he want to continue his strong play against Pacific. On the other hand, Pacific's leading scorer has been struggling, averaging just 15.5 points per game over his last five, and he must step up his game if the Tigers are to have any chance of pulling off the upset.
Gonzaga's defense has also been solid, allowing an average of 70.4 points per game over their last five, and the team has been able to limit their opponents' shooting, with opponents shooting just 42.1% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range over their last five games. In contrast, Pacific's offense has been struggling, with the team averaging just 71.2 points per game over their last five, and the team has been held to 65 points or less in two of their last three games. The Tigers must find a way to get their offense going if they are to have any chance of keeping up with Gonzaga's high-powered offense.
CHD Scout Prediction
Pacific
65
Gonzaga
83
The CHD Scout prediction has Gonzaga winning by 17.5 points, with a 92.1% win probability, and this is largely due to the Bulldogs' strong offense and solid defense, which has been able to outscore their opponents by an average of 11.8 points per game over their last five. Gonzaga's ability to score from both inside and outside, with the team averaging 34.5 points per game in the paint and 25.5 points per game from three-point range over their last five, will make it difficult for Pacific to keep up, and the Bulldogs' defense has been able to limit their opponents' shooting, which will make it tough for the Tigers to get their offense going.
The matchup between Gonzaga and Pacific will have real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes, with Gonzaga looking to solidify their position on the top-16 seed line and Pacific needing quality wins to build a tournament resume. A win for Gonzaga would be their 26th of the season, and would keep them firmly in the mix for a top seed in the tournament, while a loss would be a significant upset and could potentially drop the Bulldogs out of the top 16. On the other hand, a win for Pacific would be a huge upset, and would give the Tigers a much-needed quality win to add to their resume, while a loss would be their 12th of the season, and would make it even more difficult for the team to make a push for the tournament.
A win for Gonzaga would be a Quad 3 win, which would be a solid addition to their resume, and would keep them on track for a top seed in the tournament. On the other hand, a win for Pacific would be a Quad 1 win, which would be a huge boost to their resume, and would give them a much-needed quality win to add to their tournament resume. The Tigers' tournament hopes are still alive, but they need to start winning some of these bigger games if they want to make a push for the tournament, and a win over Gonzaga would be a huge step in the right direction. In contrast, a loss for Pacific would be their 12th of the season, and would make it even more difficult for the team to make a push for the tournament, and the Tigers would need to regroup and refocus if they want to make a run in the conference tournament.