Seattle Redhawks vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs, Picks, Prediction, Odds and Line Movement for Friday, January 2, 2026
Use Code WWWC We have a state of Washington matchup from Spokane in this Seattle vs. Gonzaga Prediction on Friday at 9pmET. Seattle (12-3, 1-1 WCC) is off to a strong start and will be seriously tested against No. 7 Gonzaga (14-1, 2-0 WCC), which has won seven straight games. This will be these schools' first meeting since Seattle joined the West Coast Conference. The latest odds have Gonzaga as a 23.5-point favorite with the total at 152.5. Check out more college basketball free predictions at Winners and Whiners.
Seattle re-joins West Coast Conference
Seattle officially moved up to Division I in the 2009-10 season and was expected to rejoin the WCC. They played in the WCC in the 1970s during their Division II days and when they moved up, they wound up in the WAC. Playing in the WCC, means facing an old rival in Gonzaga, whom they haven't played since 1980. For whatever reason, despite being around four hours apart, these schools have never met in Division I.
The Redhawks appear ready to take on the challenge after defeating local rivals Washington State (69-55) on Dec. 30 and Washington (70-66) on Dec. 19. Their lone loss in the league came against San Francisco at home (67-59) as a 2.5-point favorite on Dec. 28.
Seattle is led by Brayden Maldonado, who averages 15.7 points and shoots 42.1% from long range. The sophomore 6-foot guard is one of the few basketball players who hail from Anchorage, Alaska (Trajan Langdon was another). Sophomore Will Heimbrodt (6-7, 220) adds 13.5 points per game and shoots 48.3% from the field.
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KenPom has the Redhawks ranked 112th overall, 223rd in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and 41st in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency.
Zags rebound after loss to Michigan
Gonzaga has won seven straight games since getting destroyed by Michigan 101-61 at the Players Era Festival from Las Vegas on Nov. 26. That was just a blip on the radar for a Bulldogs team that crushed Kentucky 94-59 in their next game on Dec. 6, then won their next six games. In their last contest on Dec. 30, they struggled to beat San Diego on the road as a 28.5-point favorite, winning 99-93 in a WCC matchup.
Jalen Warley led the Zags with 22 points, 14 rebounds and five assists against San Diego, who shot 52% from the field and 39% (12-of-31) from long range. Gonzaga shot 57% from the field.
Braden Huff (6-10, 250) leads the Zags with 18.1 points and adds 5.3 rebounds, while Graham Ike (6-9, 250) adds 16.3 points and 8.5 rebounds, while shooting 51.6% from the field. Gonzaga ranks seventh in the nation in total rebound rate. KenPom has the Bulldogs ranked fifth overall, fourth in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and 11th in Adjusted Defense.
Spread Picks and Odds for Seattle vs. Gonzaga
Seattle vs. Gonzaga Picks and Prediction
- Seattle +23.5 (4 units)
Gonzaga is the better team but they have some issues. It starts with Graham Ike, who lost his composure in their last game against San Diego, picking up a technical foul. This is not an easy road game for Seattle, but they are 3-0 away from home. They've covered in the only two games where they've been underdogs. Gonzaga is 1-3 ATS in their last four games as a double-digit favorite. Seattle is holding teams to 65.8 points per game and 39.4% shooting. They also have a 7-footer in Austin Mauer who can help neutralize Huff and Ike.
Over/Under Pick for Seattle vs. Gonzaga
- Over 152.5 (5 units)
Gonzaga is a traditionally fast-tempo team (37th in Adjusted Tempo) and Seattle is 135th in Adjusted Tempo. Gonzaga has scored 91 or more points in four straight games. They've gone over in four of their last five games. At home, the Zags are averaging 103.4 points per game.
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