Santa Clara Broncos (23-8) vs San Francisco Dons (19-13)
Game Info: Sunday, March 5, 2023 at 12:30 am (Orleans Arena)
Betting Odds: Santa Clara Broncos -4.5 -- Over/Under: 153.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The San Francisco Dons and the Santa Clara will flee the Bay Area for Las Vegas to meet in the quarterfinals of the West Coast Conference Tournament at the Orleans Arena on ESPN2.
San Francisco moved to 19-13 after beating Pacific in the first round of the WCC Tournament. The Dons pulled away after the break to defeat the Tigers by seventeen, 80-63. USF scores 75.8 points per game, while allowing 72.7 ppg, and shooting 45% from the field.
San Francisco kept their season alive with a third win over Pacific, and they’ll look to avoid falling to Santa Clara for a third time this season. Senior guard Khalil Shabazz scored 31 points in the February meeting with Santa Clara, and after scoring 21 points or more in five of the last seven games, he’s leading the Dons in scoring (16.9), while grabbing 5.4 rpg. Fellow veteran guard Tyrell Roberts led the team with his second 25-point performance in a row versus Pacific, and he’s scoring an identical 16.2 ppg.
Santa Clara finished at 23-8 following a road win over San Diego. The Broncos bullied the Toreros early then cruised to an 18-point win, 81-63. Santa Clara is scoring 77.3 points per game, while allowing 73.0 ppg, and shooting 45.6% from the floor.
Santa Clara closed the season by winning their last seven games, and a strong effort at the WCC tournament could nab them a return to the Dance. Sophomore guard Brandin Podziemski had some monster performances down the stretch, and after double-doubling in the final four games, he leads SCU in scoring (19.9) and rebounding (8.8). Carlos Stewart scored 25 points in the last meeting with USF, and he’s second on the team at 15.1 ppg. Fifth-year starter Keshawn Justice is averaging a career-best 13.4 ppg, while grabbing 4.2 rpg.
San Francisco is 15-16 against the spread this season, with a 13-18 over/under record. Santa Clara is 16-14 ATS this year, with a 14-16 o/u record.
This Bay Area battle in Vegas has the elements for fireworks with a well-rested Santa Clara team taking on the veteran pair of gunners of San Francisco. The Dons have their backs against the wall, and while Shabazz and Roberts present real threats offensively, the Broncos are streaking into March and shouldn’t be overlooked. Podziemski represents one of the best players in the country, and I like leaning on him to lead SCU to another victory. Take Santa Clara’s spread for this WCC Quarterfinal.
Corey’s Pick Santa Clara -4.5
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
Mitch's Take...
