T.M. Selection: Washington State / Santa Clara OVER.

I like WSU to push the Broncos to the brink in this one. Santa Clara is off a huge upset win at Gonzaga and that opens the door for the fast-paced Cougars to challenge them big-time here. Washington State plays fast and is averaging 82 ppg this season and Santa Clara is averaging 81 ppg. With the Broncos off a big upset win they could be ripe for the picking here yet they are at home and score so well and Washington State is not that strong on the defensive end. As a result of all this, a match-up like this often works itself into a very high-scoring game. The Broncos had one low-scoring game recently - a loss at Loyola Marymount - but are 10-1 in their other 11 games since early December. Santa Clara scored an average of 85.5 ppg in regulation time (not including OT) in those 11 games. Similarly, the Cougars have one low-scoring game win last 11 games but in other 10 games since early December they have averaged 81.8 ppg. This is a big total but both teams have a great shot at getting well into the 80s and I expect the Cougars to look to pounce on the Broncos early knowing they are catching them off that upset win!

T.M. Prediction: 87-83 Santa Clara.