Gonzaga vs Washington State Picks & Predictions (Jan 15)

• Gonzaga is favored by 18.5 points on the road
• Gonzaga averages 91 points per game, making the game total a compelling Over play
• Braden Huff’s shooting and Graham Ike’s rebounding dominance present lucrative player prop opportunities

No. 9 Gonzaga visits unranked Washington State tonight in a West Coast Conference game. Tip-off is set for 10 pm, ET (CBSSN).

There’s little to no mystery in the moneyline. Gonzaga is a consensus 18.5-point road favorite.

The Bulldogs (17-1, 5-0 WCC) are riding a 10-game winning streak. Washington State (8-10, 3-2) doesn’t even have 10 wins.

Gonzaga, despite its impressive record, has slipped in recent AP Poll rankings. The Zags’ lone loss was memorable — a 40-point blowout against then-No. 7 Michigan.

Suffice it to say, Washington State is not Michigan.

The Cougars will have their hands full trying to slow down Braden Huff (17.8 points per game) and Graham Ike (also 17.8 PPG), while the Cougars counter with leading scorer Ace Glass (15.9).

We’ll analyze the matchup from a betting perspective and offer our expert advice on how to bet Gonzaga vs. Washington State.

Gonzaga vs Washington State Predictions & Expert Betting Analysis

Spread Pick: Washington State +18.5 (-113) at DraftKings

Gonzaga’s statistical superiority is undeniable, but this massive spread creates excellent value on the home underdog. The Bulldogs’ frontcourt duo of Huff and Ike presents matchup nightmares for any opponent, but Washington State’s rim protector ND Okafor provides interior resistance. Okafor’s tendency toward foul trouble could expose the Cougars, but rivalry games often produce inspired defensive efforts.

Historical trends favor home underdogs in conference rivalry games, particularly when spreads exceed 15 points.

Gonzaga is 2-2 ATS as a road favorite this season. Washington State is 2-0 ATS as a home underdog.

Total Pick: Over 155.5 (-112) at BetMGM

Gonzaga’s offensive firepower makes this total highly attractive. The Bulldogs average a high number of points per game with strong shooting percentages across the board – from the field and from three-point range. Huff’s field goal percentage and Ike’s mark are impressive. This inside-outside balance creates consistent scoring opportunities.

Washington State’s defensive struggles suggest they’ll struggle containing Gonzaga’s multi-faceted attack. The Cougars have allowed many points in their recent games. When facing teams with similar offensive efficiency, Washington State has struggled defensively.

Games involving teams with large point differentials often see high scoring when the line is set high. Gonzaga’s pace combined with Washington State’s necessity to play fast when trailing creates optimal conditions for a high-scoring affair.

Player Prop: Braden Huff Over 17.5 Points (-115) at FanDuel

Huff represents exceptional value in the player props market. His field goal shooting is strong, while his accuracy on two-point attempts is also high. Against Washington State’s interior defense, which allows many points in the paint per game, Huff should find numerous high-percentage scoring opportunities.

The matchup becomes even more favorable considering Okafor’s foul trouble tendencies. With Washington State’s backup frontcourt lacking size and defensive experience, Huff could exploit significant mismatches throughout the contest. He’s performed well in recent games, including a strong scoring output against similar defensive competition.

Public Betting Trends Analysis

The college basketball betting public‘s perspective on this rivalry matchup reveals fascinating contrasts between confidence in the outcome and skepticism about the margin.

Spread Sentiment: A decisive 68.31% of all spread wagers back Washington State +18.5, while a significant 55.11% of the total handle supports the Cougars.

Moneyline Consensus: Bettors show overwhelming confidence in Gonzaga’s victory, with 95.96% of tickets on the Bulldogs moneyline. However, 13.6% of the money supports the substantial underdog Washington State, indicating some larger wagers on the Cougars. This near-unanimous support for Gonzaga winning outright validates the Bulldogs’ superiority while highlighting the poor value in their moneyline price.

Total Market Split

The public disagrees with our over analysis, as 66.53% of all total wagers are on the Under 155.5. More significantly, 68.15% of the total handle supports the under, creating a classic fade-the-public scenario for our over recommendation. This contrarian angle often provides excellent value when backed by strong statistical analysis supporting the opposite position.

Statistical Breakdown: Gonzaga vs Washington St

Who has the edge tonight?

The defensive statistics reveal Washington State’s primary weakness. Allowing many points per game ranks low nationally, while their defensive rating indicates significant structural issues. Against Gonzaga’s balanced attack featuring elite interior and perimeter scoring, these defensive deficiencies become magnified.

Gonzaga’s points allowed demonstrates solid defensive principles, though their defensive rating suggests room for improvement against elite competition. However, facing Washington State’s limited offensive weapons should allow the Bulldogs to focus defensive attention on Glass and Okafor.

Gonzaga vs Washington State Betting Odds

Current betting odds reflect Gonzaga’s overwhelming superiority while creating potential value opportunities:

• Moneyline: Gonzaga -2857 | Washington State +1227
• Spread: Gonzaga -18.5 (-107) | Washington State +18.5 (-113)
• Total: Over 155.5 (-112) | Under 155.5 (-107)

Odds as of January 14, 2026, from consensus sportsbooks.

The moneyline odds demonstrate the market’s extreme confidence in Gonzaga’s victory. The Bulldogs carry a 96.6% implied win probability, while Washington State sits at 7.54% implied probability.

From a practical betting perspective, the risk-reward structure heavily favors underdog speculation. A $10 wager on Gonzaga’s moneyline would generate just a $0.35 profit, while the same $10 bet on Washington State would return a $122.70 profit.

The 155.5 total suggests oddsmakers expect Gonzaga’s offensive efficiency to drive scoring, though the under money indicates public skepticism about Washington State’s ability to contribute offensively. This creates the contrarian value we’re targeting with our over recommendation.