Reeling Pacific Tigers Host the Momentarily Surging Broncos

Jan 4, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs center Sam Dower (35) fights for position against Pacific Tigers forward Gabriel Aguirre (11) and forward Aaron Short (15) during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Game Info:

• Who:  Santa Clara Broncos (10-8, 3-2) @ Pacific Tigers (9-6, 0-5)
• Where:  Alex G. Spanos Center, Stockton, California
• When:  Saturday, January 11th at 4 PM Eastern Time
• Watch:  TheW.tv/Root Sports/Time Warner/Comcast SportsNet
• Listen:  Pacific Portal

The Pacific Tigers have had it difficult as of late, and I do not believe that it’s going to get easier anytime soon for the WCC’s “newbies”.  They face the Santa Clara Broncos today, meaning that they’re going to be up against a Broncos that isn’t necessarily as tough as last season, but is being propelled by forward momentum, following back-to-back wins, including coming off of a close victory against one of the WCC’s elite programs, the Saint Mary’s Gaels.

However, the guys from Stockton have certainly seen their fair share of success and heartbreak this season, as they sprang out of the gate blistering hot, notching 8 wins in 9 games.  Unfortunately, that success was not built to last, leading to Pacific losing 5 out of their past 6 games, and starting conference play 0-4.  To say that Pacific needs to win this game would be a massive understatement.  Pacific is a team that is reeling after their past losses and need something, anything, to build up their spirits which have no doubt been hurt by the recent string of losses.

Statistically, neither of these teams are all that impressive. While Santa Clara does not score that many points per game as a team, they do have two key players in Jared Brownridge and Brandon Clark who are able to score with relative ease. That consistency is key for a team like this, whose in-game strives toward victory have come up futile time and time again.

If you were given a table with statistics from these two teams on it, you probably would not be able to tell which is which, as they are both extremely similar.  In fact, the table below is exactly that:  a blind test.  By just looking at the stats, I wonder if you can tell who is who. Mother stats are very close, so this is probably the toughest 50/50 pick you’ve ever made.

72

Assists Per Game

12

13

Rebounds Per Game

36

33

Shooting Percentage

43%

44%

Turnovers Per Game

12

10

Steals Per Game

5

6

Well, if you said Team 2 was Pacific, then you are right!

Just kidding, you’re dead wrong.  Team 1 is Pacific and Team 2 is SCU.  Both teams are so similar that I honestly believe this game is a complete toss-up.  One team here has to establish their dominance early in order to obtain the win, something that both of these teams need desperately (that goes without saying).

Prediction:  I think that Pacific jumps out early like they did in their match-up against Oregon earlier this season, and the Broncos won’t be able to come back.  The fact that this game is taking place in Stockton also factors into my prediction, as I can 173% guarantee that Pacific doesn’t want to drop their 5th straight conference game, in front of their home crowd, no less.

Pacific 81, Santa Clara 73 I should warn you Sergeant, you can’t play on my feelings. I don’t have any.