Loyola Marymount vs. Gonzaga Pick and Prediction for Sunday January 4 2026
The Loyola Marymount Lions (10-6) travel to Spokane to face the No. 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs (15-1) in a West Coast Conference clash at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Gonzaga enters as a heavy favorite, looking to extend an eight-game winning streak and maintain their perfect start to conference play.
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LMU is looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking 78-76 loss to Washington State on Friday. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are coming off a tight 80-72 overtime victory against Seattle U, a game where they were pushed to the limit but ultimately saved by their elite interior scoring. For expert analysis and daily wagering insights on the full slate of college basketball action, be sure to check out the latest free NCAAB picks over at Winners and Whiners.
Gonzaga's Interior Dominance
The story of the Bulldogs' season has been the emergence of junior forward Braden Huff. Huff is coming off a massive 28-point performance against Seattle U and leads the team with 18.8 PPG on an incredibly efficient 67.5% shooting from the floor. Alongside Graham Ike, Huff anchors a frontcourt that helps Gonzaga lead the nation in scoring at 92.2 points per game.
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| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,976.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +2,595.00 |
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| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,627.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,451.00 |
The Bulldogs’ ability to share the ball is another hallmark of their success, averaging over 20 assists per game. While they had a scare in their last outing, Gonzaga has historically been dominant at home, winning 23 of their last 25 games at "The Kennel."
LMU: Seeking the Ultimate Upset
Loyola Marymount features a balanced attack led by senior guard Myron Amey Jr., who is averaging 14.9 PPG. The Lions are a dangerous shooting team, hitting 37% from three-point range, which they will need to utilize to stay competitive against the Bulldogs' high-powered offense.
Defensively, LMU allows just 67.9 PPG, but they have yet to face an offense with the speed and efficiency of Gonzaga. The Lions' path to victory involves slowing the tempo and winning the rebounding battle—a tall task against Ike and Huff. If Amey Jr. can replicate his recent 20-point performance against Pacific, LMU may be able to keep the score respectable in the early going.
Analysis & Betting Picks
LMU vs Gonzaga ATS Pick
- Spread: Gonzaga -15.5 (-110)
Gonzaga has covered the spread in nine of their last 13 games. While they struggled to cover a massive 28.5-point spread against San Diego recently, a 15.5-point line at home feels manageable for a team that has won its last three home games by an average of 22 points. Expect the Bulldogs to exploit LMU's interior defense early and often.
LMU vs Gonzaga Total Pick
- Total: Over 153.5 (-110)
Gonzaga’s games have trended toward the Over this season, as their pace of play often forces opponents into a track meet. The Bulldogs score over 90 points a night, and LMU has the shooting capability to contribute 70+ if they get hot from the perimeter. A final score in the neighborhood of 88-70 seems likely, pushing this game past the 153.5 mark.
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