WCC Basketball: Gonzaga vs. BYU preview, prediction, TV schedule

Feb 4, 2017; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs bench celebrates during a game against the Santa Clara Broncos during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 90-55. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Spokane, WA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs bench celebrates during a game against the Santa Clara Broncos during the second half at McCarthey Athletic Center. The Bulldogs won 90-55. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and BYU Cougars finish the WCC basketball regular season on Saturday in Spokane.

TV Schedule: Saturday, Feb. 24, 10:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Arena: McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, WA

Prediction: Gonzaga 87 BYU 72

As the regular season comes to a close, things are looking good for the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Zags are currently the only undefeated team left in college basketball, with a 29-0 record.

Related Story: Five reasons why the Bulldogs will win it all

The way the Zags have navigated their conference schedule has been a thing of beauty. Hampered by the stigma of playing in a mid-major conference, Mark Few’s team is expected to dominate every game. To that end, they have been quite successful, winning WCC games by an average margin of 28.2 points.

As they attempt to finish the regular season undefeated, the final test is a home game against the BYU Cougars. Gonzaga won their first meeting in Provo by 10, the lowest margin of victory for the Zags in conference play.

The Cougars are looking to pull off a Senior Night upset, similar to what they did in 2015. Dave Rose’s team has the talent to do just that, but will they have the stamina?

Forward Eric Mika is the biggest threat to Gonzaga, collecting 15 points and 11 rebounds in the first meeting. He is one of the few big men in college basketball that can compete inside with Zags center Przemek Karnowski. Guard TJ Haws provides 3-point shooting that, while inconsistent, can usually spark a Cougar run.

The Zags are up to the challenge, though, boasting one of the most talented and balanced teams in college basketball. Nigel Williams-Goss will find ways to break the zone defense, which gave the Bulldogs trouble in the first matchup. And Johnathan Williams and Silas Melson are two elite defenders, who should be effective at stopping the offensive firepower of BYU.

Next: Final February Bubble Watch and the Twitter mailbag

The Cougars will probably go on two-to-three runs during the game but expect a full 40 minutes of top notch basketball from Gonzaga. By the end of the game, the Bulldogs should have its first undefeated regular season locked up.