No. 3 Zags play host to Pacific, search for 13th straight win

Rebounding off of an impressive first-second place conference game, where Gonzaga turned a late game 10-0 run to a 21-point thumping of St. Mary’s, today’s matchup calls for a different tempo.

The Zags take on 8th place Pacific at home, in a game

Meet the opponent: Pacific (10-10, 2-6 WCC)

Entering the matchup winning just one of its last five games, the Tigers are on the second game of a road trip that started with an dramatic three point loss at Portland on Thursday, where UP’s Adam Wintering hit a game-winning 3-pointer.

Aside from a series in late November/early December where Pacific won three-straight game, it has been an up-and-down season for the Tigers. Despite 2-6 conference record, Pacific has really only been blown out once (At the hands of Santa Clara 57-40).  Losing to St. Mary’s by just seven, San Francisco by six and now Portland by three on the road, the struggling Tigers manage to muster fun performances but have a bit of trouble closing games.

What to watch for…

1.  A blowout:  Analytically, the game should be anywhere near single digits throughout. Pacific has not shown a great ability to get out on shooters and, while showing promise during certain games, the season has been mostly that of a dismal one for the Tigers. Since the Zags have them at home, do not expect a close game.

2. Eric McClellan’s first meaningful minutes:  Despite five scattered minutes against St. Mary’s, a more wide-open home game against Pacific should lend newly eligible and healthy transfer Eric McClellan a great opportunity to see meaningful minutes in front of a home crowd.

My crystal ball…

No surprise here, I take Zags by 25.

Game info:

• Start time: 5 p.m. PT
• Where: McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA
• TV: KHQ/Root Sports
• Most recent line: GONZ -24.5