After disposing of previously undefeated Saint Mary's College and the University of San Diego at home last weekend to take over sole possession of first place in the West Coast Conference at 7-0, Gonzaga University faces another big test Thursday at the University of Portland. The surprising Pilots are off to their best start in West Coast Conference history at 6-1 and alone in second place after downing San Diego and Saint Mary's last weekend. Portland is 15-7 overall. Tonights game will be televised on ESPN2 with time set for 11 p.m. ET.
As of Thursday morning, sports odds professionals at online sports book BetUS.com had Gonzaga listed as 10 1/2-point favorites over Portland with a 136 1/2 total. The Bulldogs were listed as -650 favorites on the BetUS.com moneyline over the Pilots at +500.
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Gonzaga and the University of Portland opened the West Coast Conference season Jan. 10 at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Josh Heytvelt and Matt Bouldin each scored 14 points as the Bulldogs downed the Pilots 67-50. Steven Gray added 13 points as Gonzaga snapped a three-game losing streak. Austin Daye had 10 rebounds as the Zags beat Portland for the 11th consecutive time. Gonzaga won its 14th consecutive WCC home opener and its 13th consecutive WCC opener. The 50 points by Portland marks its second lowest output of the season, the Pilots scoring 43 in a one-point win over Air Force.
The series between Gonzaga and Portland has been a one-sided affair favoring the Bulldogs in recent years. Gonzaga holds an 82-65 all-time lead in the series, but since joining the West Coast Conference for the 1979-80 season the Bulldogs have a commanding 48-15 advantage. Gonzaga has won 23 of the last 24 meetings since suffering a 72-68 loss at the old Kennel in 2003 to snap a 14-game Gonzaga winning streak in the series and halt the Bulldogs streak of West Coast Conference home wins at 21. Gonzaga has won the last 11 meetings, including this season's 67-50 victory in the West Coast Conference opener.
Sports-Odds.com predicts Portland covers the betting line as a +10 1/2 underdog at home.
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