BYU Basketball opens as 4.5-point underdog versus Gonzaga

For the first time since the 2010-2011 season, the Marriott Center will host two ranked teams when #2 Gonzaga battles #23 BYU. Vegas released its line for the game and opened with Gonzaga as a 4.5-point favorite over BYU. KenPom gives BYU a 42% chance to win and predicts a 82-80 final score in favor of the Zags.

The Zags are 27-1 on the season are in the midst of a 19-game winning streak. They are the most balanced team in the nation with seven players averaging double figures. Injuries have forced Gonzaga to go to a six- and seven-man rotations, but the Zags haven’t missed a beat. Killian Tillie was healthy and effective Thursday night versus San Francisco, so Gonzaga will likely go with their seven-man rotation.

Sophomore big man Filip Petrusev leads Gonzaga with 17.5 ppg and 8 rpg. He has taken a big step forward and is a candidate for WCC player of the year. Senior big man Killian Tillie has appeared in 19 of GU’s 28 games and is the Zags most versatile piece when healthy. Tillie put up 22 points and 10 boards versus BYU in Spokane.

Gonzaga won the previous matchup 92-69 in Spokane when BYU was without Yoeli Childs. BYU shot 51% from the floor but shot only 6-20 (30%) from the three-point line. If BYU has any chance of pulling the upset, the thee point shooting will have to be drastically better.

BYU-Gonzaga tipoff 8pm MST on ESPN2.