A Deeper Look - WCC Hoops on Big Monday
by Strike Point Sports - 02/19/2007
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The West Coast Conference's spotlight continues on Big Monday tonight. Each week we'll see the ESPN network nationally televise a WCC game. Without a secondary match-up on ESPNU this week, the lone game features San Francisco and St. Mary's.
WCC ESPN Showcase
San Francisco - 12-15 (11-12-2 ATS)
At
St. Mary's - 13-14 (9-15 ATS)
Midnight EST
Surprising to most, it's the Dons that have put together an impressive run in the conference this season. San Francisco has a 7-4 WCC mark, good for third behind Santa Clara and Gonzaga. But despite their success thus far, their struggles on the road all year have been an issue. This week they travel to St. Mary's with the home team opening as a 5.5-favorite. The total for this match-up is listed at 136.5.
The Gaels can say they are one of the three teams to hand Gonzaga a conference loss this season, however everything else this year has been a letdown. They, like San Francisco, are under .500, and for them it would be nice to end the year on a winning note and try and build any momentum for the conference tournament.
St. Mary's has won six of the last seven meetings in this series. They have covered four of those games during that stretch, and the favorite is 10-4 ATS in the last 14.
The Gaels look to stop a four-game skid where they have failed to cover each and every spread. San Francisco can earn their eighth conference victory of the season tonight, as they've won three in a row and five of their last six.
If the Dons are going to pull the road upset, they'll likely have to do it without guard Armando Surratt, the team's third leading scorer. He is one of four players averaging double figures, but is doubtful with a knee injury.
St. Mary's has fared well recently on Big Monday, covering eight of their last 10 games. However, the Dons have gone 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings in St. Mary's. San Francisco has also covered five of their last six games vs. a team with a losing record.
This game can be seen on ESPN 2 at midnight EST.
Prediction: San Francisco 71, St. Mary's 68