The Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (4-7, 1-4 away) get to take their shot against the #5 Gonzaga Bulldogs (9-2, 6-0 home), aiming to hand them their first home loss of the season. Northern Arizona has won only one of their last five, including two in a row. Gonzaga back-to-back double-digit victories after suffering a non-conference defeat to Alabama to start the month.
Monday night’s tipoff is at 9 p.m. EST inside the McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane, WA. Oddsmakers have the Bulldogs as a 35-point favorite, and the over-under total is at 147.5 points.
What to Know – Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Northern Arizona battles Gonzaga in their final non-conference contest before beginning Big Sky play. Last week, the Lumberjacks suffered back-to-back losses to South Dakota and San Diego by a combined 15 points. According to a preseason poll, Northern Arizona was predicted to finish ninth in the conference.
The Lumberjacks score 68.8 points per game while shooting 41.4% from the floor and 36.1% from the arc. Northern Arizona allows opponents to average 71.8 points, hitting 43.7% from the field and 32.6% from three.
Northern Arizona took a one-point lead into halftime against the Toreros, but USD used an 11-1 run near the beginning of the half to pull away in the Jerry Colangelo Classic. Jalen Cone paced the Lumberjacks in scoring with 20 points.
The Lumberjacks are 4-6 against the spread and 3-2 ATS on the road this year. NAU is 5-15 ATS over their last 20 games against teams from the WCC.
What to Know – Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga bounced back after losses to Duke and Alabama to pick up a pair of victories against Merrimack and Texas Tech. Monday’s tilt will be just the third time the Bulldogs are taking the floor in 16 days.
The Bulldogs pour in 84.1 points per game, shooting 52.2% from the field and 34.0% from the 3-point line. Gonzaga’s defense surrenders 63.7 points per game and holds teams to 38.3% shooting from the floor and 30.2% from deep.
On Saturday, the Bulldogs took care of business with a 69-55 victory over the Red Raiders. Andrew Nembhard led Gonzaga’s offense with 16 points and six assists, and Rasir Bolton chipped in 15 points in the route.
This year, Gonzaga owns a 5-6 record ATS, with a 1-4 record over their last five games. The Bulldogs sport a 2-4 record ATS at home and are just 1-4 ATS as favorites in their previous five.
The Pick is In
Both teams played on Saturday, so this is a quick turnaround just two days after suiting up. Gonzaga should have this one over with by halftime, but we can see the Bulldogs taking the foot off the gas in the second half to allow for their starters to get some rest.
The spread is justifiable given the talent discrepancy, but it’s hard to see the Bulldogs getting up for this one. Bet on Lumberjacks to keep it close!
Betting Pick: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks +35
