BYU Cougars vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Prediction & Game Preview - 1/13/2022

by Chuck Sommers

Thursday, Jan 13, 2022
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Venue: McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA
Where to watch: ESPN2

Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks


DraftKings: Gonzaga -14.5
BetMGM: Gonzaga -14.5
Caesars: Gonzaga -14.5

Season record
BYU: 14-3 (2-0 WCC)
No. 2 Gonzaga: 12-2 (1-0 WCC)

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BYU - Gonzaga preview, analysis and prediction


Recent form
BYU: won 52-43 vs. Saint Mary's on Jan. 8
Gonzaga: won 117-83 vs. Pepperdine on Jan. 8

Stock may not be higher for the Gonzaga Bulldogs than it is at this moment. After Baylor’s slip-up against Texas Tech on Tuesday, finishing the week strong should put Gonzaga back as the No. 1 team in the country.

It also feels like Gonzaga has played at home for almost this entire season and the Bulldogs will be at home for Thursday’s matchup against the BYU Cougars as they go for a sixth straight victory.

Gonzaga has had the benefit of some breaks in the schedule. Three games since Dec. 12 have either been postponed or canceled, but it’s allowed the Zags to show their dominance since losing to Alabama on Dec. 4.

The home-court advantage for Gonzaga is one of the more difficult to penetrate, and some of these teams have seen that. Most recently, Pepperdine got blasted by the Zags 117-83 and the Waves realized firsthand what happens when the Bulldogs are clicking at that pace.

It’s been 14 games and Gonzaga is starting to reach that comfort factor. Chet Holmgren still needs some room to develop, but he did have 18 points and eight rebounds against Pepperdine. There’s no denying Drew Timme has been the perfect frontcourt partner for him after the veteran had a day of 18 points and six rebounds, as well.

"We have a lot of guys who can put the ball in the hole and we like to share," said coach Mark Few.

Ain’t that the truth.

There’s depth in this conference, but you just have the feeling unless the likes of San Francisco, Saint Mary’s and even BYU can win these games against Gonzaga, the Bulldogs will remain the class of this conference.

That’s why the 14.5 seems warranted if you’re taking Gonzaga. I don’t think they’re going undefeated in conference play, but whoever beats the Zags will have earned it. BYU’s defense is too shoddy to think they’re going to stop Holmgren and Timme. Try telling yourself BYU’s defense can replicate what it did against Saint Mary’s. I don’t even buy it. Gonzaga by 18

Betting trends


BYU is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 as an underdog.

BYU is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 following two straight unders.

Gonzaga is 71-5 straight up as a favorite in the past three seasons.

Gonzaga is 18-19 ATS at home in the past three seasons, but 38-1 straight up.

Projected starting lineup


BYU:
PG: Alex Barcello
SG: Te'Jon Lucas
SF:
Trevin Knell
PF:
Caleb Lohner
C: 
Fousseyni Traore

Gonzaga:
PG: Rasir Bolton
SG: Andrew Nembhard
SF:
Julian Strawther
PF:
Drew Timme
C: 
Chet Holmgren

Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Gonzaga - BYU prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily college basketball projections and previews.

Chuck Sommers

About the Author:

Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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