Monday’s West Coast Conference semifinals feature two very different betting opportunities. One game presents a massive talent gap with a national contender, while the other features two elite WCC teams battling in a tight spread. Continue reading our Monday CBB Best Bets March 9 column for selections on both of tonight’s WCC Conference Tournament picks.

CBB Best Bet: Gonzaga -19 (vs. Oregon State)

Game: WCC Tournament Semifinal
Spread: Gonzaga -19
Total: 145.5

Gonzaga enters the semifinal as one of the most dominant teams in the country with a 28-3 overall record and a 16-2 conference mark.

The Bulldogs continue to run one of the most efficient offenses in college basketball, built around interior scoring, spacing, and constant ball movement. Mark Few’s teams historically thrive in the WCC tournament because of their depth and ability to overwhelm weaker conference opponents.

Oregon State simply doesn’t have the roster to match Gonzaga’s offensive firepower.

The Beavers finished the regular season 17-15 and just 9-9 in conference play, making them the clear underdog entering the semifinal.

Where Gonzaga typically separates in these matchups is the glass. The Bulldogs dominate rebounding and second-chance scoring, which allows them to turn competitive first halves into blowouts late.

Another major factor is pace. Gonzaga prefers to push the tempo after defensive rebounds, and Oregon State struggles defending in transition. If the Bulldogs get comfortable early, this game can quickly get out of hand.

Best Bet: Gonzaga -18.5

Projected Score: Gonzaga 87, Oregon State 64

Pick #2: Santa Clara +4.5 vs Saint Mary’s

Game: WCC Tournament Semifinal
Spread: Saint Mary’s -4.5
Total: 147.5

This matchup is much tighter than the spread suggests.

Santa Clara enters the semifinal with an impressive 25-7 record, including a strong 15-3 mark in WCC play, and they advanced by defeating Pacific 76-68 in the quarterfinals.

The Broncos have quietly been one of the most balanced teams in the conference. Their offense is built around spacing and perimeter scoring, and they’ve shown the ability to score efficiently against high-level opponents.

Saint Mary’s is the conference’s defensive powerhouse and finished the regular season 27-4 overall and 16-2 in the WCC, sharing the league title.

However, the matchup history suggests Santa Clara can stay within the number. These teams know each other extremely well, and familiarity often tightens games during conference tournaments.

Santa Clara also enters with momentum after winning its quarterfinal matchup and having already proven it can score against elite WCC defenses.

With a neutral floor and a spread sitting around two possessions, this shapes up as a game likely decided in the final minutes.

Best Bet: Santa Clara +4.5

Projected Score: Saint Mary’s 74, Santa Clara 71

Monday CBB Best Bet March 9

1. Gonzaga Bulldogs -19
2. Santa Clara Broncos +4.5

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