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Thursday's Elite Eight
January 19, 2017
A look at the day's top eight college basketball matchups, ranked in order of most attractive.
THURSDAY, JAN. 19
Matchup Records Skinny Projection
California
Overall: 13-5 SU, 7-11 ATS
Pac-12: 4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS
Totals: 8-10 O/U
Oregon
Overall: 16-2 SU, 9-8 ATS
Pac-12: 5-0 SU, 5-0 ATS
Totals: 7-10 O/U
California at Oregon, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Cal has beaten Oregon four consecutive years despite being unranked each time. They’re hoping that exact scenario plays out tonight against a Ducks squad that has only opened Pac-12 play a perfect 5-0. After a riveting win over UCLA courtesy of a Dillon Brooks’ buzzer-beater, Oregon has won its last four games by an average margin of 84.25-to-57.75. They destroyed rival Oregon State over the weekend 85-43 and are putting their elite depth to good use now that everyone is healthy. In the Bears, they’ll face a team led by the league’s most talented forward, 6-foot-11 Ivan Rabb, whose 17.6 points and 13.8 boards this month have been highlighted by 57 percent 3-point shooting. Like Ducks standout Chris Boucher, he can spread the floor and is a menace at both ends. It’s definitely helped Rabb to get center Kameron Rooks back from a knee injury. The junior 7-footer has averaged only 4 points and 5.3 rebounds over his last three games, but blocked three shots at Washington State and can certainly be a difference-maker as he gets back in a rhythm. These teams field two of the nation’s top defenses. Oregon ranks 12th in field goal percentage defense (38.4 pct), while Cal comes in just behind in 13th (38.5). In addition to the bigs battling in the paint, this matchup will also be highlighted by Brooks squaring off against Cal senior wing Jabari Bird, who aims to bounce back from shooting 1-for-7 in Saturday’s 58-54 win over Washington State, where he helped keep the Cougs in it by missing five of his six 3-point attempts.
Oregon 81
California 72
Arizona
Overall: 16-2 SU, 9-7-2 ATS
Pac-12: 5-0 SU, 2-1-2 ATS
Totals: 9-8-1 O/U
USC
Overall: 16-3 SU, 9-9 ATS
Pac-12: 3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS
Totals: 9-9 O/U
Arizona at USC, 9 p.m. ET, Pac-12
Wednesday’s big news in college basketball revolved around the statement issued by elite Arizona shooting guard Allonzo Trier, who finally disclosed why he hasn’t been playing. The sophomore wing has yet to play this season because he tested positive for a PED and won’t be cleared to play until the drug leaves his system entirely. Although the ‘Cats have missed him, they’ve won 10 straight games since a loss to Gonzaga at Staples to open December, which puts them in position to realize all their preseason goals despite being without their best player. Finnish 7-footer Lauri Markkanen has emerged as Arizona’s go-to guy and looks like a NBA lottery pick, coming off a career-high 30-point effort on 120for-18 shooting against rival Arizona State. Markkanen is shooting 12-for-19 from 3-point range in 2017. Yes, he’s 7-feet tall. The ‘Cats dished out 25 assists on their 34 field goals against the Sun Devils, their highest total since 2009. USC snapped a two-game losing streak on Sunday with a 71-68 win at Colorado to get back to .500 in league play. The Trojans defeated Arizona at home last season 103-101 in a memorable game that went four overtimes. Elijah Stewart’s two late free-throws provided the winning margin, but he’s been mired in a shooting slump in 2017, missing 10 of his 12 3-pointers thus far this month. Four of Arizona's last five games have gone over the posted total. This will be only their fourth true road game and are 2-0 as a road favorite. USC is a home underdog for the first time this season.
Arizona 79
USC 73
Richmond
Overall: 11-6 SU, 7-5-1 ATS
A-10: 5-0 SU, 4-0-1 ATS
Totals: 6-7 O/U
Dayton
Overall: 13-4 SU, 10-5 ATS
A-10: 4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS
Totals: 6-9 O/U
Richmond at Dayton, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
The Spiders have already achieved something unprecedented in program history by opening A-10 play with five straight wins, but this is their opportunity to prove they’re truly for real. A win at Dayton would put Richmond two games up on everyone in the league besides LaSalle, which hosts Davidson in a difficult contest at the same time this game is going off. Senior forward T.J. Cline (17.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 5.3 apg) helps the Spiders go since he’s a marvelous passer at 6-foot-9, making their Princeton-style offense all the more effective. He fell one assist shy of a triple-double in Saturday’s 70-66 win at Saint Joseph’s, and has been at his best on the road in league play, averaging 17.7 points, 10.3 boards and 8.0 assists in leading Richmond to wins at Davidson, George Washington and St. Joe’s. Cline averaged 30.5 in two losses against the Flyers last March. Dayton leads the A-10 in points allowed in league play (63.4), but has been working shorthanded due to a number of injury concerns, losing top rim protector Josh Cunningham way back in November while seeing key glue guys Charles Cooke and Kendall Pollard miss time with nagging ailments. Those two are back and getting into a rhythm, but guard Kyle Davis, another invaluable piece to the puzzle, may be out with an ankle injury. The ‘under’ is 8-2 in Dayton’s last 10 games and has come in through Richmond’s last two.
Dayton 72
Richmond 69
Clemson
Overall: 11-6 SU, 7-7-1 ATS
ACC: 1-4 SU, 1-3-1 ATS
Totals: 9-6 O/U
Louisville
Overall: 15-3 SU, 11-5 ATS
ACC: 3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS
Totals: 4-12 O/U
Clemson at Louisville, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Despite a promising non-conference start that featured wins over South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Davidson and put an improved offense on display, the Tigers have had a terrible 2017. They got ACC play off to a strong start with a road win at Wake Forest on Dec. 31, but haven’t won since and enter this contest looking up at everyone in the conference except Pittsburgh. Clemson could really use an upset here to get back on track and can build off a strong showing in Saturday’s 77-73 loss to talented Virginia. They’ll catch a break here because Louisville begins a stretch where they’ll have to play without point guard Quentin Snider for at least two weeks due to a strained hip flexor. Snider and Donovan Mitchell have formed an extremely solid backcourt for Rick Pitino, but guard depth isn’t something this particular Louisville squad is blessed with, which makes getting through the next few weeks extremely challenging. Freshman Ryan McMahon, who averages just 5.5 minutes per game, is projected to start despite not playing a second of Saturday’s 78-69 home win over Duke. Junior center Anas Mahmoud had his best game ever, coming up with career-highs of 17 points and 11 boards to help the Cardinals hold serve as a 3.5-point favorite. The ‘Ville lost its conference opener at home against Virginia but is usually rock-solid at the Yum! Center, so they’ll have to hope that a friendly atmosphere can help get them through their first game without Snider, who will really be missed in this weekend’s showdown with Florida State in Tallahassee. Clemson defeated the Cardinals last year in South Carolina.
Louisville 71
Clemson 67
Maryland
Overall: 16-2 SU, 10-7 ATS
Big Ten: 4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS
Totals: 6-11 O/U
Iowa
Overall: 11-8 SU, 6-9-1 ATS
Big Ten: 3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS
Totals: 7-8-1 O/U
Maryland at Iowa, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Terps join Wisconsin atop the Big Ten and will look to remain perfect on the road in league play after taking down Michigan and Illinois on successive Saturdays. Melo Trimble has gotten significant help from freshman point guard Anthony Cowan, who has taken some pressure off him by supplying ball-handling and on-ball defense at a high level. Maryland is 6-1 SU/ATS since mid-December, losing only to Nebraska at home, 67-66, in OT. The Terrapins could be back at full strength with center Michal Cekovsky set to return from an ankle injury after having his walking boot removed. Despite being a slight favorite at home, the Hawkeyes have been all over the place this season, a product of their youth. Senior wing Peter Jok has provided the firepower by averaging nearly 22 points per game, but his supporting cast has been inconsistent from game to game and failed to show up in Sunday’s brutal 89-54 loss at Northwestern. As you might expect, Iowa has been sharper at home, owning seven consecutive wins at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including takedowns of Iowa State, Michigan and Purdue. Jok was held to a season-low four points by the Wildcats and was battling a back injury, but he’s expected to play in this one. Iowa has asked fans to wear gold and hopes its home crowd can again supply a boost in helping knock off another quality visitor.
Maryland 80
Iowa 76
Memphis
Overall: 13-5 SU, 6-7 ATS
American: 3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS
Totals: 6-7 O/U
Houston
Overall: 14-5 SU, 7-7 ATS
American: 4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS
Totals: 5-9 O/U
Memphis at Houston, 9 p.m. ET, CBS SN
While both of these teams will be lucky to remain on the bubble to hear their name called on Selection Sunday, both are enjoying solid seasons. The Cougars won 22 games last year under Kelvin Sampson in reaching the NIT, while the Tigers are already on pace to surpass their victory total from each of their past two seasons since Tubby Smith has hit the ground running. Robert Gray has been Houston’s go-to guy the past two seasons and leads the way with 20.8 points per game, so Memphis must find ways to keep him from getting to his spots. Gray is shooting over 49 percent, nearly 40 percent from 3-point range and over 80 percent from the free-throw line, so he’s a handful. The Tigers have ridden twins Dedric Lawson (20.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg) and KJ Lawson (12.1, 7.8) in addition to guards Jeremiah Martin and Markel Crawford, but lack depth. That’s going to be a concern on the road, especially since the versatile Dameyan Dotson and Galen Robinson, Jr. will make the Lawsons work for everything they get. The Tigers shoot just 31 percent from 3-point range and must have either Crawford or Craig Randall II provide a spark from the perimeter to get out of Houston with an upset. The Cougars are hoping to get Devin Davis back from a foot injury that has kept him out of the last four games. The 6-7 forward was averaging 10.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in just under 20 minutes of action before getting hurt, so his return would provide a huge boost.
Houston 83
Memphis 78
UConn
Overall: 7-10 SU, 5-9 ATS
American: 2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS
Totals: 5-8 O/U
SMU
Overall: 15-4 SU, 9-4-1 ATS
American: 5-1 SU, 4-1-1 ATS
Totals: 7-7 O/U
UConn at SMU, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Any other year, this would be much higher up this list as one of the American’s elite offerings for the entire season, but the injury-depleted Huskies aren’t holding up their end of the bargain. Although UConn handed UCF its only loss in league play thus far, it definitely has the look of a bottom-tier team in the conference and comes off a disappointing 72-69 road loss against former Big East rival Georgetown over the weekend. UConn has been forced to toil without starting guards Alterique Gilbert (shoulder) and Terry Larrier since mid-November, which has put too much of the burden on Jalen Adams and Rodney Purvis. Not only do those guys get little rest in games, they’ve worn down in contributing to tight losses against Ohio State, Auburn, Tulsa and the aforementioned Hoyas. With no relief in sight, the Huskies visit Dallas looking to snap a three-game road losing streak at SMU, coming off an 80-54 loss there last March. The Mustangs also have depth issues, often going with a six-man rotation in their first year under Tim Jankovich, who was head coach in waiting and stepped right in when Larry Brown surprisingly resigned. Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye is averaging a team-best 17.7 points to lead five SMU players scoring in double-figures. Since a puzzling loss to Boise State to end November, the Mustangs have gone 11-1, losing only at Cincinnati 66-64 on Jan. 12. SMU has won each of its last seven home games by at least 14 points.
SMU 72
UConn 59
Gonzaga
Overall: 17-0 SU, 12-2 ATS
WCC: 5-0 SU, 5-0 ATS
Totals: 7-7 O/U
Santa Clara
Overall:10-9 SU, 8-9 ATS
WCC: 4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS
Totals: 5-11-1 O/U
Gonzaga at Santa Clara, 11 p.m. ET, ESPNU
The Bulldogs are relishing in being the lone remaining undefeated team in the country and come off their most impressive win of the season, trouncing Saint Mary's 79-56 in Spokane in a battle of WCC unbeatens. Gonzaga dominated from the perimeter and took advantage of its edge in athleticism to overwhelm the Gaels. Although the rematch in Moraga on Feb. 11 will be tough and a visit to BYU should also be challenging, the Zags now look like they'll be favored in every regular-season the rest of the way, which means they can become the fourth team to reach the NCAA Tournament with a perfect record if they hold serve. This will be only Gonzaga's third true road game of the season and pits Mark Few against Herb Sendek, who has had a solid run in his first season at the helm at Santa Clara, which comes in even with BYU at 4-2 for third place in the West Coast Conference. The Bulldogs have beaten the Broncos 12 consecutive times, but will have to deal with reigning WCC Player of the Week Jared Brownridge, who scored 30 points in a weekend win over Pepperdine and beat San Diego on a buzzer-beater. He went 12-for-23 from 3-point range and has helped Santa Clara go 4-1 since getting back point guard KJ Feagin from a foot injury earlier this month. Counterpart Nigel Williams-Goss, a Washington transfer, leads Gonzaga in scoring (15.2), assists (4.9) and steals (1.7) while ranking just behind center Prez Karnowski (5.9) for the team lead in rebounding (5.8).
Gonzaga 84
Santa Clara 65
January 19, 2017
A look at the day's top eight college basketball matchups, ranked in order of most attractive.
THURSDAY, JAN. 19
Matchup Records Skinny Projection
California
Overall: 13-5 SU, 7-11 ATS
Pac-12: 4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS
Totals: 8-10 O/U
Oregon
Overall: 16-2 SU, 9-8 ATS
Pac-12: 5-0 SU, 5-0 ATS
Totals: 7-10 O/U
California at Oregon, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Cal has beaten Oregon four consecutive years despite being unranked each time. They’re hoping that exact scenario plays out tonight against a Ducks squad that has only opened Pac-12 play a perfect 5-0. After a riveting win over UCLA courtesy of a Dillon Brooks’ buzzer-beater, Oregon has won its last four games by an average margin of 84.25-to-57.75. They destroyed rival Oregon State over the weekend 85-43 and are putting their elite depth to good use now that everyone is healthy. In the Bears, they’ll face a team led by the league’s most talented forward, 6-foot-11 Ivan Rabb, whose 17.6 points and 13.8 boards this month have been highlighted by 57 percent 3-point shooting. Like Ducks standout Chris Boucher, he can spread the floor and is a menace at both ends. It’s definitely helped Rabb to get center Kameron Rooks back from a knee injury. The junior 7-footer has averaged only 4 points and 5.3 rebounds over his last three games, but blocked three shots at Washington State and can certainly be a difference-maker as he gets back in a rhythm. These teams field two of the nation’s top defenses. Oregon ranks 12th in field goal percentage defense (38.4 pct), while Cal comes in just behind in 13th (38.5). In addition to the bigs battling in the paint, this matchup will also be highlighted by Brooks squaring off against Cal senior wing Jabari Bird, who aims to bounce back from shooting 1-for-7 in Saturday’s 58-54 win over Washington State, where he helped keep the Cougs in it by missing five of his six 3-point attempts.
Oregon 81
California 72
Arizona
Overall: 16-2 SU, 9-7-2 ATS
Pac-12: 5-0 SU, 2-1-2 ATS
Totals: 9-8-1 O/U
USC
Overall: 16-3 SU, 9-9 ATS
Pac-12: 3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS
Totals: 9-9 O/U
Arizona at USC, 9 p.m. ET, Pac-12
Wednesday’s big news in college basketball revolved around the statement issued by elite Arizona shooting guard Allonzo Trier, who finally disclosed why he hasn’t been playing. The sophomore wing has yet to play this season because he tested positive for a PED and won’t be cleared to play until the drug leaves his system entirely. Although the ‘Cats have missed him, they’ve won 10 straight games since a loss to Gonzaga at Staples to open December, which puts them in position to realize all their preseason goals despite being without their best player. Finnish 7-footer Lauri Markkanen has emerged as Arizona’s go-to guy and looks like a NBA lottery pick, coming off a career-high 30-point effort on 120for-18 shooting against rival Arizona State. Markkanen is shooting 12-for-19 from 3-point range in 2017. Yes, he’s 7-feet tall. The ‘Cats dished out 25 assists on their 34 field goals against the Sun Devils, their highest total since 2009. USC snapped a two-game losing streak on Sunday with a 71-68 win at Colorado to get back to .500 in league play. The Trojans defeated Arizona at home last season 103-101 in a memorable game that went four overtimes. Elijah Stewart’s two late free-throws provided the winning margin, but he’s been mired in a shooting slump in 2017, missing 10 of his 12 3-pointers thus far this month. Four of Arizona's last five games have gone over the posted total. This will be only their fourth true road game and are 2-0 as a road favorite. USC is a home underdog for the first time this season.
Arizona 79
USC 73
Richmond
Overall: 11-6 SU, 7-5-1 ATS
A-10: 5-0 SU, 4-0-1 ATS
Totals: 6-7 O/U
Dayton
Overall: 13-4 SU, 10-5 ATS
A-10: 4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS
Totals: 6-9 O/U
Richmond at Dayton, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
The Spiders have already achieved something unprecedented in program history by opening A-10 play with five straight wins, but this is their opportunity to prove they’re truly for real. A win at Dayton would put Richmond two games up on everyone in the league besides LaSalle, which hosts Davidson in a difficult contest at the same time this game is going off. Senior forward T.J. Cline (17.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 5.3 apg) helps the Spiders go since he’s a marvelous passer at 6-foot-9, making their Princeton-style offense all the more effective. He fell one assist shy of a triple-double in Saturday’s 70-66 win at Saint Joseph’s, and has been at his best on the road in league play, averaging 17.7 points, 10.3 boards and 8.0 assists in leading Richmond to wins at Davidson, George Washington and St. Joe’s. Cline averaged 30.5 in two losses against the Flyers last March. Dayton leads the A-10 in points allowed in league play (63.4), but has been working shorthanded due to a number of injury concerns, losing top rim protector Josh Cunningham way back in November while seeing key glue guys Charles Cooke and Kendall Pollard miss time with nagging ailments. Those two are back and getting into a rhythm, but guard Kyle Davis, another invaluable piece to the puzzle, may be out with an ankle injury. The ‘under’ is 8-2 in Dayton’s last 10 games and has come in through Richmond’s last two.
Dayton 72
Richmond 69
Clemson
Overall: 11-6 SU, 7-7-1 ATS
ACC: 1-4 SU, 1-3-1 ATS
Totals: 9-6 O/U
Louisville
Overall: 15-3 SU, 11-5 ATS
ACC: 3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS
Totals: 4-12 O/U
Clemson at Louisville, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN
Despite a promising non-conference start that featured wins over South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Davidson and put an improved offense on display, the Tigers have had a terrible 2017. They got ACC play off to a strong start with a road win at Wake Forest on Dec. 31, but haven’t won since and enter this contest looking up at everyone in the conference except Pittsburgh. Clemson could really use an upset here to get back on track and can build off a strong showing in Saturday’s 77-73 loss to talented Virginia. They’ll catch a break here because Louisville begins a stretch where they’ll have to play without point guard Quentin Snider for at least two weeks due to a strained hip flexor. Snider and Donovan Mitchell have formed an extremely solid backcourt for Rick Pitino, but guard depth isn’t something this particular Louisville squad is blessed with, which makes getting through the next few weeks extremely challenging. Freshman Ryan McMahon, who averages just 5.5 minutes per game, is projected to start despite not playing a second of Saturday’s 78-69 home win over Duke. Junior center Anas Mahmoud had his best game ever, coming up with career-highs of 17 points and 11 boards to help the Cardinals hold serve as a 3.5-point favorite. The ‘Ville lost its conference opener at home against Virginia but is usually rock-solid at the Yum! Center, so they’ll have to hope that a friendly atmosphere can help get them through their first game without Snider, who will really be missed in this weekend’s showdown with Florida State in Tallahassee. Clemson defeated the Cardinals last year in South Carolina.
Louisville 71
Clemson 67
Maryland
Overall: 16-2 SU, 10-7 ATS
Big Ten: 4-1 SU, 4-1 ATS
Totals: 6-11 O/U
Iowa
Overall: 11-8 SU, 6-9-1 ATS
Big Ten: 3-3 SU, 2-4 ATS
Totals: 7-8-1 O/U
Maryland at Iowa, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Terps join Wisconsin atop the Big Ten and will look to remain perfect on the road in league play after taking down Michigan and Illinois on successive Saturdays. Melo Trimble has gotten significant help from freshman point guard Anthony Cowan, who has taken some pressure off him by supplying ball-handling and on-ball defense at a high level. Maryland is 6-1 SU/ATS since mid-December, losing only to Nebraska at home, 67-66, in OT. The Terrapins could be back at full strength with center Michal Cekovsky set to return from an ankle injury after having his walking boot removed. Despite being a slight favorite at home, the Hawkeyes have been all over the place this season, a product of their youth. Senior wing Peter Jok has provided the firepower by averaging nearly 22 points per game, but his supporting cast has been inconsistent from game to game and failed to show up in Sunday’s brutal 89-54 loss at Northwestern. As you might expect, Iowa has been sharper at home, owning seven consecutive wins at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including takedowns of Iowa State, Michigan and Purdue. Jok was held to a season-low four points by the Wildcats and was battling a back injury, but he’s expected to play in this one. Iowa has asked fans to wear gold and hopes its home crowd can again supply a boost in helping knock off another quality visitor.
Maryland 80
Iowa 76
Memphis
Overall: 13-5 SU, 6-7 ATS
American: 3-2 SU, 2-3 ATS
Totals: 6-7 O/U
Houston
Overall: 14-5 SU, 7-7 ATS
American: 4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS
Totals: 5-9 O/U
Memphis at Houston, 9 p.m. ET, CBS SN
While both of these teams will be lucky to remain on the bubble to hear their name called on Selection Sunday, both are enjoying solid seasons. The Cougars won 22 games last year under Kelvin Sampson in reaching the NIT, while the Tigers are already on pace to surpass their victory total from each of their past two seasons since Tubby Smith has hit the ground running. Robert Gray has been Houston’s go-to guy the past two seasons and leads the way with 20.8 points per game, so Memphis must find ways to keep him from getting to his spots. Gray is shooting over 49 percent, nearly 40 percent from 3-point range and over 80 percent from the free-throw line, so he’s a handful. The Tigers have ridden twins Dedric Lawson (20.2 ppg, 10.5 rpg) and KJ Lawson (12.1, 7.8) in addition to guards Jeremiah Martin and Markel Crawford, but lack depth. That’s going to be a concern on the road, especially since the versatile Dameyan Dotson and Galen Robinson, Jr. will make the Lawsons work for everything they get. The Tigers shoot just 31 percent from 3-point range and must have either Crawford or Craig Randall II provide a spark from the perimeter to get out of Houston with an upset. The Cougars are hoping to get Devin Davis back from a foot injury that has kept him out of the last four games. The 6-7 forward was averaging 10.1 points and 6.2 rebounds in just under 20 minutes of action before getting hurt, so his return would provide a huge boost.
Houston 83
Memphis 78
UConn
Overall: 7-10 SU, 5-9 ATS
American: 2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS
Totals: 5-8 O/U
SMU
Overall: 15-4 SU, 9-4-1 ATS
American: 5-1 SU, 4-1-1 ATS
Totals: 7-7 O/U
UConn at SMU, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Any other year, this would be much higher up this list as one of the American’s elite offerings for the entire season, but the injury-depleted Huskies aren’t holding up their end of the bargain. Although UConn handed UCF its only loss in league play thus far, it definitely has the look of a bottom-tier team in the conference and comes off a disappointing 72-69 road loss against former Big East rival Georgetown over the weekend. UConn has been forced to toil without starting guards Alterique Gilbert (shoulder) and Terry Larrier since mid-November, which has put too much of the burden on Jalen Adams and Rodney Purvis. Not only do those guys get little rest in games, they’ve worn down in contributing to tight losses against Ohio State, Auburn, Tulsa and the aforementioned Hoyas. With no relief in sight, the Huskies visit Dallas looking to snap a three-game road losing streak at SMU, coming off an 80-54 loss there last March. The Mustangs also have depth issues, often going with a six-man rotation in their first year under Tim Jankovich, who was head coach in waiting and stepped right in when Larry Brown surprisingly resigned. Duke transfer Semi Ojeleye is averaging a team-best 17.7 points to lead five SMU players scoring in double-figures. Since a puzzling loss to Boise State to end November, the Mustangs have gone 11-1, losing only at Cincinnati 66-64 on Jan. 12. SMU has won each of its last seven home games by at least 14 points.
SMU 72
UConn 59
Gonzaga
Overall: 17-0 SU, 12-2 ATS
WCC: 5-0 SU, 5-0 ATS
Totals: 7-7 O/U
Santa Clara
Overall:10-9 SU, 8-9 ATS
WCC: 4-2 SU, 3-3 ATS
Totals: 5-11-1 O/U
Gonzaga at Santa Clara, 11 p.m. ET, ESPNU
The Bulldogs are relishing in being the lone remaining undefeated team in the country and come off their most impressive win of the season, trouncing Saint Mary's 79-56 in Spokane in a battle of WCC unbeatens. Gonzaga dominated from the perimeter and took advantage of its edge in athleticism to overwhelm the Gaels. Although the rematch in Moraga on Feb. 11 will be tough and a visit to BYU should also be challenging, the Zags now look like they'll be favored in every regular-season the rest of the way, which means they can become the fourth team to reach the NCAA Tournament with a perfect record if they hold serve. This will be only Gonzaga's third true road game of the season and pits Mark Few against Herb Sendek, who has had a solid run in his first season at the helm at Santa Clara, which comes in even with BYU at 4-2 for third place in the West Coast Conference. The Bulldogs have beaten the Broncos 12 consecutive times, but will have to deal with reigning WCC Player of the Week Jared Brownridge, who scored 30 points in a weekend win over Pepperdine and beat San Diego on a buzzer-beater. He went 12-for-23 from 3-point range and has helped Santa Clara go 4-1 since getting back point guard KJ Feagin from a foot injury earlier this month. Counterpart Nigel Williams-Goss, a Washington transfer, leads Gonzaga in scoring (15.2), assists (4.9) and steals (1.7) while ranking just behind center Prez Karnowski (5.9) for the team lead in rebounding (5.8).
Gonzaga 84
Santa Clara 65
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