Washington State vs. Santa Clara College Basketball Predictions, Picks, Odds

The college basketball season continues on Thursday with a game between Washington State and Santa Clara. It’s time to continue our college basketball odds series with the Washington-Santa Clara State prediction and pick.

In a highly anticipated showdown in the West Coast Conference, Washington State heads up Saint Clare looking to gain momentum after their stunning upset of then No. 16 Gonzaga. The Broncos, led by Tyree Bryan’s career-high 35 points, will test the Cougars’ defense, which typically allows 43.3 percent of its opponents to shoot. Santa Clara enters with confidence after a road win, shooting 46.2% from the field this season. The game promises to be intense action, with both teams hungry to prove themselves in conference play. Tip-off is set for Thursday at 8:00 p.m., streaming on the CBS Sports Network, offering fans a must-see midseason clash.

Here’s Washington State-Santa Clara College basketball oddscourtesy of FanDuel

College Basketball Odds: Washington State-Santa Clara Odds

Washington State: +4.5 (-112)

Moneilines: +155

Santa Clara: -4.5 (-108)

Money line: -188

Over: 157.5 (-115)

Under: 157.5 (-105)

How to watch Washington State vs. Santa Clara

Time: 11pm ET/8pm PT

TV: CBS Sports Network

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Why Washington State will cover the spread/win

The Washington State Cougars are poised to secure a win against Santa Clara in their upcoming matchup, thanks to an impressive offensive skill set and balanced attack. The Cougars have been lighting up the scoreboard this season, averaging 81.5 points per game, far outscoring Santa Clara’s 74.9 points per game. This offensive firepower is led by dynamic guard Nate Calmese, who averages 17.3 points and 4.7 assists per game while also contributing 2.1 steals on the defensive end. The Cougars’ offensive arsenal doesn’t stop there, with four other players averaging double figures, including LeJuan Watts (13.8 points, 7.9 rebounds) and Dane Erikstrup (12.7 points). This balanced output makes Washington State a challenging team to defend, as opponents cannot simply focus on shutting down one player.

Defensively, the Cougars were equally impressive, holding opponents to 43.3% field goal percentage while shooting 49.4%2 themselves. This defensive efficiency, along with their ability to force turnovers (7.8 steals per game as a team), should give them the edge against Santa Clara. With their current record of 15-5 and fourth place in the WCC, the Cougars have momentum on their side. Their recent 92-70 win over Portland demonstrates their ability to dominate games, and this form should carry over into their matchup with Santa Clara. All of these factors combine to make Washington State the clear favorite to emerge victorious in this contest.

Why Santa Clara will cover the spread/win

Santa Clara is poised to secure a win against Washington State in their upcoming matchup, riding high on the momentum of their recent upset win over Gonzaga. The Broncos’ offensive firepower, averaging an impressive 80.7 points per game, will be a big challenge for the Cougars’ defense. Led by a red-hot Tyree Bryan, who recently exploded for a career-high 35 points against Gonzaga, Santa Clara’s perimeter shooting is a major threat. Bryan’s ability to knock down seven 3-pointers in one game shows the team’s potential to light up the scoreboard from beyond the arc. In addition, the Broncos boast a balanced scoring attack with players such as Adama Ball and Christoph Tilly contributing significantly to their offensive output.

Defensively, Santa Clara showed resilience, holding opponents to a 43.8% field goal percentage while shooting a more efficient 46.2%. This defensive prowess, combined with their rebounding advantage of 35.3 boards per game compared to their opponents’ 33.7, gives them a significant advantage in controlling the tempo of the game. The Broncos’ recent success in conference play, going 5-2 in the West Coast Conference, shows their ability to perform under pressure. With the game scheduled at home, Santa Clara will benefit from the energy of their home crowd, where they have gone a strong 7-27 this season. Given their recent killer performance against Gonzaga and their statistical advantage, Santa Clara is in a good position to continue their winning ways against Washington State.

The final Washington-Santa Clara State prediction and pick

In a highly anticipated West Coast Conference clash, Washington State heads to Santa Clara looking to continue its dominant form. The Cougars, riding the momentum of recent road wins, will challenge a highly accomplished Broncos team against Gonzaga. Santa Clara is averaging 10.1 3-pointers per game, which could test Washington State’s defense, which is allowing 7.3 3-pointers. With both teams hungry for a conference win, expect an intense battle. Washington State’s balanced scoring and recent road success give them a slight advantage in what promises to be a competitive matchup between two talented WCC teams as Washington State covers the schedule on the road in this Thursday night matchup.

Washington State-Santa Clara Final Predictions and Picks: Washington State +4.5 (-112), over 157.5 (-115)