San Francisco at Gonzaga (-15.5) - 5:00pm Pacific - Game #835-836
Gonzaga has a much younger team than usual and played a very ambitious non-conference schedule. As a result they have a 13-7 record which is certainly mediocre for their standards, but this is still a very good team. Gonzaga is likely to be playing with a chip on their shoulder right now after hearing numerous remarks from both the media and opposing coaches about how they are "down" this year and that the conference race is "wide open". Kansas transfer forward Micah Downs (former McDonald's All-American) just started playing three games back and adds quality depth. The younger players now have 20 games under their belts and are already starting to perform better. This will be Gonzaga's first home game at "The Kennel" with the students in session since a 20 point win over Washington almost seven weeks ago. They are riding a nation best 47 game home win streak and have won seven games here this season by an average margin of 24.8ppg.

San Francisco has lost 9 out of 12 games, and even their three wins (two in OT, one by 1 point) in the span easily could have been losses. UConn transfer guard Antonio Kellogg missed last game and will miss next two games due to academic issues. Kellogg leads the team in scoring and steals, while ranking second in assists and rebounds. USF already ranks ahead of only Pepperdine in points allowed (76.7) and rebounding margin (-4.8) in the WCC, so losing their second leading rebounder and one of their better defenders does not bode well when facing the #1 scoring offense and #2 rebounding team in the conference in Gonzaga. As mentioned last week, five of USF's top eight players (two freshman, two transfers, and a redshirt) were not with the team last year and chemistry appears to be an issue as they just have not looked crisp all season. USF has played well in their last two road trips here, but this year they lack the true big man needed to compete inside and will eventually get overwhelmed by both Zag players and fans. Give the points.

RAS Official Play: Gonzaga -15.5 1 UNIT


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