CBK West Coast Conference Game of Month - Sat
- Handicapper
- Jim Feist
- League
- NCAAB
- Competition
- Saint Marys CA vs Gonzaga
- Release Date
- 01/31/2026 05:53 AM
- Event Date
- 01/31/2026 10:40 PM
- Bet Type
- Point Spread
- Pick
-
Saint Marys Ca +9.5 (-105)
(BetMGM)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- St. Mary’s is a strong cover candidate as a sizeable underdog because their style naturally shrinks the game and makes it harder for Gonzaga to create the kind of separation you need to cover a big number in a rivalry matchup.
With that in mind, I think St. Mary’s is a strong play as a big underdog simply because they play in a way that compresses the game. They’re going to make it difficult for Gonzaga to score at will and put up the type of numbers you usually have to to cover large spreads against them in a rivalry game. The Gaels want to play with pace and discipline: they defend, they execute on offense in the half court, and they don’t mind turning games into physical, tactical chess matches. All of that is huge when the betting line is hovering around Gonzaga -9.5 at home in McCarthey Athletic Center.
Throw on top of that the fact that this game projects more as a battle of the frontcourt and efficiency rather than a game where somebody can “run you out of the gym”, and you have a spot where St. Mary’s can truly keep things close. Spokane will likely have Graham Ike back (which helps), but that comes with the caveat of possible timing/rust issues and their rotation still won’t be “clean” with other injuries. St. Mary’s counters with all the size and depth they need to force Gonzaga to earn everything they get, and if the game stays close and physical on the glass, sudden death turns into every empty trip and every missed free throw, which is how you survive as an underdog against a big spread. In a rivalry that’s usually pretty competitive on a possession-by-possession basis, you don’t need them to win this game outright to win your bet, you just need them to prevent Gonzaga from putting this one out of reach.
Jim's Play: 807. St Mary's (WCC Game of the Month)
