The San Francisco Dons (14-4, 4-1 WCC) are set to face off against their Bay Area rivals, the Santa Clara Broncos (11-6, 3-1 WCC), in a highly anticipated West Coast Conference matchup on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. ET at the Leavey Center in Santa Clara, California. This game marks the second meeting between these two teams this season. The Dons won the first matchup 97-94 in overtime on December 30.
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Dons going for regular season sweep
The San Francisco Dons have established themselves as a formidable force in the West Coast Conference, boasting a strong 14-4 record and sitting 3rd in the WCC standings. Their offense, averaging 77.9 points per game, is led by the dynamic Malik Thomas, who tops the team with an impressive 20.3 points per game.
San Francisco's shooting efficiency has been a key factor in their success, with a field goal percentage of 47.1% and a three-point percentage of 35.9%. The Dons' ability to spread the floor and create scoring opportunities is evident in their balanced attack, with multiple players contributing significantly.
Defensively, the Dons have shown strength, allowing just 67.1 points per game (75th nationally). They've been particularly effective in limiting opponents' field goal percentage to 41.4% and three-point percentage to 31.1%9. This defensive prowess, combined with their offensive firepower, makes San Francisco a tough matchup for any team in the conference.
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Santa Clara going for a big win
The Santa Clara Broncos have a potent offense that ranks 59th nationally, averaging 81.2 points per game. Their efficient shooting, particularly from beyond the arc, is a strength. The Broncos average 10 made three-pointers per game (39th nationally) on 28.6 attempts (34th), with a respectable 35.0% three-point shooting percentage.
Led by senior guard Adama Bal (13.9 ppg) and junior forward Elijah Mahi (13 ppg), Santa Clara's offense is further bolstered by strong rebounding (35.5 per game, 76th nationally) and impressive assist numbers (16.4 per game, 69th). Christoph Tilly (12.4 ppg), a 7-foot senior, and 6'1 senior Carlos Stewart (11.9 ppg) have also been key contributors to Santa Clara's scoring depth.
Under head coach Herb Sendek, the Broncos aim to build on their success from last season, where they finished 4th in the WCC and secured a notable victory against Gonzaga. With a roster that retained all its players and added key pieces, Santa Clara is poised to compete for an NCAA tournament berth.
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Best Bets for San Francisco vs. Santa Clara
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
With San Francisco rated 68th and Santa Clara 75th in the KenPom ratings, this matchup is extremely even, and the first head-to-head meeting supported these teams matching up so closely as the Dons pulled out a three-point overtime victory. Santa Clara has won eight of their last nine games, with the loss to San Francisco being the lone blemish in that stretch. I will take the Broncos to get the spilit on their home floor.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
In their first head-to-head matchup, these teams combined for 172 points before going into overtime. There are plenty of reasons to expect another high-scoring game. On the road, the San Francisco Dons rank 44th in offensive efficiency but are a weak 225th on defense, according to BartTorvik.com. Meanwhile, Santa Clara ranks 59th in offensive efficiency and 81st in defense. Both teams excel from beyond the arc, ranking in the top 75 in made three-pointers. Additionally, the Dons have hit the over in four straight games, and Santa Clara has seen the over hit in their last seven games. The trends point to another high-scoring affair—take the over.
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