Pepperdine looks like good bet with points in WCC semifinals
Here are previews and picks for tonight’s West Coast Conference tournament semifinals at Orleans Arena:
Pepperdine-Saint Mary’s
This is a tricky spot for Saint Mary’s, which is laying points but must deal with a Pepperdine side that won both regular-season clashes. The Waves’ length on defense bothered the Gaels in both meetings, with Saint Mary’s held below 42 percent field-goal shooting over the two games, far beneath its nation’s-best 51 percent. Another tough matchup awaits coach Randy Bennett’s team before it can punch a ticket to the WCC finale on Tuesday.
Pick: Pepperdine +7½
Brigham Young-Gonzaga
A quick rematch of last week’s game in Provo, Utah, where the Zags bolted to a big lead but had to hold on for dear life in a 71-68 win. Fueled to maintain its NCAA Tournament participation streak that extends to 1999, expect Gonzaga to be ready to deal, taking advantage of the Cougars’ defensive shortcomings, especially in the paint where Kyle Wiltjer and Domantas Sabonis can do significant damage.
Pick: Gonzaga -3
Las Vegas handicapper Bruce Marshall is editor of The Gold Sheet (goldsheet.com).
