Gonzaga University (16-1, 4-0 WCC) is set to host Santa Clara University (13-4, 4-0 WCC) in a highly anticipated West Coast Conference showdown on Thursday, January 8, at 8:30 PM PT in the McCarthey Athletic Center. This matchup marks the 105th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Gonzaga having a significant advantage, winning 51 of the last 55 encounters.
The Bulldogs are coming off a dominant 82-47 victory over Loyola Marymount, during which they held the Lions to a season-low point total and forced them into a mere 30.2% shooting from the field. The standout performance came from a balanced team effort with four players reaching double figures, including one player contributing 16 points and another adding 12 points alongside seven rebounds. Gonzaga’s depth was on display with 53 points contributed by the bench and a decisive 48-24 scoring advantage in the paint.
As for statistics, Gonzaga is among the best in the nation, ranking seventh in offensive efficiency and tenth defensively according to KenPom. The team currently leads the WCC in several categories, including assist-to-turnover ratio (1.93), assists (20.1 per game), and effective field goal percentage (.580). Notably, the Zags also excel in scoring, averaging 91.6 points per game, and dominate in points in the paint, with an impressive average of 48.4 per game.
On the other side, Santa Clara arrives in Spokane on a four-game winning streak, having recently achieved an impressive 98-70 victory over San Diego. Christian Hammond led the Broncos with 21 points, and the team recorded a commendable shooting percentage of 50% from the field. The Broncos are particularly effective from beyond the arc, leading the conference in three-pointers made and attempts per game. They boast a potent offense, scoring an average of 93.5 points per conference game.
Historical context reveals that Gonzaga holds a 72-32 lead in their series against Santa Clara, and despite losing to the Broncos in January 2023, they have dominated the matchups historically. The Bulldogs look to solidify their home-court advantage and extend their current winning streak to ten games, which would mark their best start to a season since the 2020-21 campaign.
The matchup promises to be an exciting evening of college basketball, showcasing two of the top teams in the WCC as they compete for conference supremacy. With both teams firing on all cylinders, fans can expect a thrilling showdown as Gonzaga aims to continue their successful run and Santa Clara seeks to claim a major upset.