Santa Clara Broncos vs Gonzaga Bulldogs Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 01/08/2026

Game Time: 11:30 pm ET, Thursday, January 8, 2026

Venue:  McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA

Where to Watch:  ESPN2

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Santa Clara +15.5, Gonzaga -15.5; Over/Under:  168.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Santa Clara +15.5, Gonzaga -15.5; Over/Under:  168.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Santa Clara +15.5, Gonzaga -15.5; Over/Under:  168.5 points

Santa Clara Broncos:  13-4 (4-0) (3rd place, WCC)

Gonzaga Bulldogs:  16-1 (4-0) (1st place, WCC)

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Santa Clara Broncos:  4-1  last 5

Gonzaga Bulldogs:  5-0  last 5

Santa Clara is entering this game with a 13-4 record overall, a 4-0 record in conference games, and they are 3-1 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the San Diego Toreros in their last game. Christian Hammond led the team in points in that game with 21 while Thierry Darlan was next on the team with 14. Elijah Mahi led the team in assists with 9 in that game while Allen Graves led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 50% from the field, 34% from 3-point range, and 100% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 82.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 70.4 PPG against them. Santa Clara has an ATS record of 7-8-1 this season and their O/U record is 10-6.

Gonzaga is entering this game with a 16-1 record overall, a 4-0 conference record, and they are 7-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Loyola Marymount Lions in their last game. Graham Ike led the team in points in that game with 16 while Mario Saint-Supery was next on the team with 13. Braden Huff led the team in assists with 4 in that game while Braden Huff led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 53.7% from the field, 30% from 3-point range, and 40% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 91.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.4 PPG against them. Gonzaga has an ATS record of 10-7 this season and their O/U record is 7-10.

The current betting odds have Gonzaga listed as a 15.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Gonzaga has looked great in their games this season with their 16-1 record overall and their 4-0 conference record which has them right at the top of the WCC. They have looked great on their home court too with their 7-0 home record this season. Meanwhile, Santa Clara has looked really good in their games this season with their 13-4 record overall and their 4-0 conference record which has them right near the top of the WCC. They have been a good road team too with their 3-1 road record this year. As good as Santa Clara has been to start the season, they haven't played a schedule like Gonzaga has and they don't have the kind of talent that Gonzaga has either. They have been rolling in the conference so far, but they are also 4-1 in their last 5 games with a loss to Loyola Chicago who isn't that good this year. Gonzaga has been rolling over opponents all season too and they have played against a lot of stronger opponents too. They have a ton of blow out wins under their belt already, and their only loss this season was against Michigan who looks like the single best team in the nation at the moment. This is the game where Santa Clara's perfect start to the conference schedule comes to an end, so look for Gonzaga to win this game at home in another blow out. The best way to place a bet here is on Gonzaga to cover the spread in this game. 

Santa Clara Gonzaga Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Thursday, January 8, 2026 (11:30 pm ET start time) is Gonzaga 99 Santa Clara 81.

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Santa Clara Broncos: 10-2 ATS as a road underdog or pick. 11-3 ATS off a home win against a conference rival. 7-2 ATS after playing 2 consecutive home games. 17-7 OVER in road games. 18-7 OVER after scoring 85 points or more.

Gonzaga Bulldogs: 7-14 ATS off a home blowout win by 20 points or more. 16-27 ATS after a win by 15 points or more. 3-9 ATS at home when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%). 29-23 OVER as a favorite of 10 or more points.

Santa Clara Broncos:  None.

Gonzaga Bulldogs:  None.

"Christian showed a lot of heart. He's been sick the past couple days. A lot of guys wouldn't have played. Not only did he play, but he gave us a stellar performance." - Herb Sendek after his team’s win against San Diego in their last game. 

"They do a great job evaluating guys. They do a great job developing guys. Put them in the right system, and they've really raised the profile of that program recently. They put it on us last year in here, so I'm sure the guys will be fired up." - Mark Few on his team’s upcoming game against Santa Clara.

J. Ensminger 

C. Hammond 

B. Knapper 

E. Mahi 

B. Oboye

T. Grant-Foster 

B. Huff 

G. Ike 

A. Miller 

M. Saint-Supery

PPG: Christian Hammond (17)

APG: Jake Ensminger (3.7)

Reb/G: Allen Graves (6.6)

PPG: Braden Huff (18.1)

APG: Braeden Smith (4.8)

Reb/G: Graham Ike (8.5)

Coaches:

Santa Clara Broncos: Herb Sendek (10th season)

Gonzaga Bulldogs: Mark Few (27th season)