Santa Clara Broncos vs. Washington State Cougars Prediction, Pick and Preview, March 15 (3/15): NCAAB

Santa Clara Broncos vs. Washington State Cougars Prediction, Pick and Preview, March 15 (3/15): NCAAB

Credit: photo by Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

 
Odds
Time 11:00 p.m. EST
SCU money line +136
SCU spread +3.5
WASU money line -205
WASU spread -3.5
Over / under 152.5

 

2021-2022 season stats

 

  Santa Clara Washington State
Record 21-11 19-14
Road / home record 5-5 9-6
Streak L1 L1
Points per game 72.4 73.5
Points allowed per game 70.1 66.3
Rebounds per game 35.2 35.1
Rebounds allowed per game    
Over / under record 17-16 13-20

 

 

Preview

The Santa Clara Broncos will head up to Pullman and face the Washington State Cougars in the final game of the first night of the 2021-22 NIT.

The Cougars are favored to win by five at home here.

 

Santa Clara Broncos

The Broncos put together an impressive season that began with early non-conference victories over Stanford, Nevada, and TCU, and never trailed off heading into conference play. A three-point loss to St. Mary's in the semifinal would ultimately decide their season, but this is a tournament worthy bunch.

Santa Clara finished the 2021-22 regular season with a 21-11 record, going 10-5 in West Coast play.

Herb Sendek's team is averaging an impressive 78.1 points per game on 49.3% shooting, while allowing just 61.2 points per game. Jalen Williams was one of the best scorers in the conference this season, averaging a team-leading 18.2 points per game.

 

Washington State Cougars

The Cougars simply didn't do enough to warrant a tournament bid this season. A five-game losing streak in mid-February ultimate decided their fate, but they were able to win four of their last five games.

Washington State finished the 2021-22 regular season with a 19-14 record, going 11-9 in Pac-12 play.

 

 

Kyle Smith's team is averaging 71.9 points per game on 41.2% shooting, while allowing just 65.4 points per game. South Alabama transfer Michael Flowers leads the team in scoring at 14.2 points per game, and he's scoring 20 or more seven times this season.

 

BETTING TRENDS

SCU is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.

Broncos are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games.

WASU is 3-2 ATS in their last 5 games.

Cougars are 3-3 SU in their last 6 games.

 

Prediction

Santa Clara has the potential to win this whole tournament, and I believe they will jump out to a good start here. Spotting them the points will be the safer route, but this Broncos team has the juice to advance to the next round.

Take Santa Clara's moneyline for this one.

PICK: Santa Clara ML (+136) 

 

 

 

 

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