Gonzaga @ Santa Clara preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 5, 2019 ) Santa Clara 48, Gonzaga 91

Fourth-ranked Gonzaga looks to record its 10th consecutive victory when it visits Santa Clara in West Coast Conference play on Thursday. The Bulldogs have won by an average of 33.7 points during their nine-game winning streak with only two contests being decided by fewer than 20.

Gonzaga has won the past 18 meetings against the Broncos, including a 91-48 home romp on Jan. 5. Junior forward Rui Hachimura scored 25 in that easy victory as one of 12 times this season he has tallied 20 or more points. The Bulldogs cruised to an 89-66 victory over host Portland in their last outing and enjoy a one-game lead over San Francisco and Saint Mary's in the conference race. Santa Clara recorded a 69-57 road victory over Pacific on Saturday and has limited five opponents to fewer than 60 points this season.

TV: 11 p.m. ET, ROOT, NBCS California

ABOUT GONZAGA (18-2, 5-0 WCC): Hachimura (20.1 points per game) and fellow junior forwards Brandon Clarke (16.5 points, 7.8 rebounds) and Killian Tillie (8.0 points) were all on the court at times during the win over Portland and figure to share the floor more often in upcoming weeks. Tillie missed the first 15 games of the season after ankle surgery while Clarke moved into the starting lineup and has been force both offensively (69.8 percent shooting) and defensively (64 blocked shots). "It's just three players that have a good feel for the game," Clarke told reporters after the win over Portland. "It's not hard at all. The three of us can guard the (forwards and center) so it makes defense pretty easy, too."

ABOUT SANTA CLARA (11-9, 3-3): Despite their longstanding losing ways against Gonzaga, the Broncos are optimistic they can muster up a better showing in the rematch. "They're a good team," sophomore forward Josip Vrankic said on the school website. "Top five in the country. They're big, they can shoot the ball. They play well together. But if we just stick to our game plan and do what we're supposed to do, I think we'll be alright." Vrankic ranks second on the squad in scoring with a 13.2 average behind sophomore guard Tahj Eaddy (16.3).

TIP-INS

1. Gonzaga has won 17 of its last 18 visits to Santa Clara.

2. The Bulldogs have won 26 consecutive conference road games, the nation's longest active streak.

3. Eaddy drained four 3-pointers against Pacific for his seventh outing of four of more this season, and he has made a team-best 51.

PREDICTION: Gonzaga 87, Santa Clara 70