NCAAB January 15, 2026

The marquee matchup of the Thursday college basketball slate brings #9 Gonzaga (17-1, 5-0 WCC) to Friel Court for their first true road game of 2026. The Zags are riding a scorching ten-game winning streak and have established themselves as one of the most dominant offensive teams in the country. Per KenPom, Gonzaga has outscored opponents by 24.8 points per game in nonconference play - the highest nonleague scoring margin in Mark Few's legendary tenure at the helm.

But here's where it gets interesting: Gonzaga has been a nightmare for bettors against the spread. The Zags are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games and a brutal 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games against Washington State. Even more telling: Gonzaga is 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games when playing on the ROAD against Washington State. That's a historically profitable fade spot for sharp bettors.

Washington State (8-10, 3-2) is in year two under David Riley, and while the record doesn't jump off the page, the Cougars have been feisty at home. They're 9-2 ATS in their last 11 home games against Gonzaga - that's not a typo. Star freshman Ace Glass III (15.9 PPG, 3.3 RPG) has been a revelation from California, and his ability to create his own shot gives WSU a legitimate scoring option when the game slows down.

The KenPom numbers favor Gonzaga significantly - the Zags are top-20 nationally in effective field goal percentage (58.9%), offensive rebound rate (40.9%), and two-point percentage (62.3%). Defensively, they're holding opponents to just 41.3% effective field goal rate (8th nationally) and forcing turnovers 22.2% of the time. Graham Ike's dominant interior presence (34 points in his last game) makes them nearly impossible to defend in the halfcourt.

But road games in Pullman are different. The total has gone OVER in 5 of Gonzaga's last 7 January games, and OVER in 4 of WSU's last 5 home games. If you're betting this game, the over looks attractive, and Washington State catching a significant spread has historical backing. The Cougars won't win - they're 0-8 straight up as underdogs this season - but they can keep it close enough to cover.

The American Athletic Conference has quietly become one of the most competitive mid-major leagues in the country, and this matchup between Wichita State and Florida Atlantic exemplifies that depth. FAU, coming off their Final Four run just two seasons ago, has maintained their competitive edge under new leadership, while Wichita State brings the gritty, defensive-minded approach that defined their Gregg Marshall era.

Florida Atlantic has been strong at home this season, and Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena presents a challenging environment for visitors. The Owls' ball movement and three-point shooting have been key to their success, and they've shown they can compete with anyone when the shots are falling. Their recent 89-78 victory over Memphis demonstrated the offensive firepower they possess when clicking on all cylinders.

Wichita State has been competitive in recent outings, but the Shockers struggle to score consistently against quality defenses. Their reliance on half-court execution becomes problematic when facing teams that can extend their defense and force turnovers. The travel from Kansas to South Florida also creates a slight physical and mental disadvantage that could manifest late in the game.

FAU should control this one at home. The Owls' experience and home court advantage make them the logical favorite, and their style of play matches up well against Wichita State's slower, grind-it-out approach. Expect a competitive first half before FAU's depth and shooting pull them away down the stretch.

Horizon League action takes center stage early Thursday evening as Oakland travels to Milwaukee for a conference matchup with potential tournament seeding implications. The Golden Grizzlies have been one of the most consistent programs in the Horizon League over the past decade, and their style of play - patient offense, physical defense - travels well on the road.

Oakland's ability to control tempo and force opponents into uncomfortable possessions has been the foundation of their success. They don't beat themselves, rarely turn the ball over, and make you work for every single basket. Milwaukee will need to match that physicality and avoid the turnover bug that has plagued them in key conference games.

The Panthers are a different team at Klotsche Center, where the home crowd creates a hostile environment for visitors. Milwaukee's guards have shown they can compete with anyone when given space to operate, and their three-point shooting can flip games in an instant. The key for the Panthers is establishing defensive intensity early and forcing Oakland out of their comfort zone.

This game features two evenly-matched mid-major programs with similar philosophies. Expect a low-scoring, physical affair that comes down to execution in the final five minutes. Home court advantage might be the deciding factor in what projects as a one-possession game.

The Big Sky Conference race heats up as Eastern Washington makes the trip to Ogden to face a Weber State team that has been playing its best basketball of the season. The Wildcats' recent form suggests they've found their identity midway through conference play, and the Dee Events Center has been a fortress that opposing teams dread visiting.

Weber State's home court advantage is significant in the Big Sky. The elevation in Ogden (4,300+ feet) creates a physical challenge for visiting teams, and the partisan crowd amplifies every defensive stand. The Wildcats have embraced their role as conference contenders, and their defensive intensity has been the catalyst for their recent surge.

Eastern Washington brings a high-octane offense that can score in bunches, but their defensive inconsistency has been their Achilles heel on the road. The Eagles need to control tempo and limit Weber State's transition opportunities to have any chance of stealing a win in hostile territory. If this game turns into an up-and-down track meet, the altitude advantage swings firmly in Weber State's favor.

Weber State should take care of business at home. Their defensive structure is built for games like this - forcing tough shots, limiting second chances, and grinding opponents into submission. Eastern Washington can keep it competitive in spurts, but the Wildcats' home dominance should prevail.

Atlantic 10 Conference action continues as Fordham travels to St. Louis for a midweek showdown with conference implications. The A-10 has been one of the most unpredictable conferences in college basketball this season, with any team capable of beating any other on a given night. This matchup is no exception - both teams have shown flashes of excellence alongside frustrating inconsistency.

Saint Louis has been solid at Chaifetz Arena, where the Billikens' combination of defensive intensity and efficient offense has been difficult for visitors to overcome. The home crowd creates an intimidating atmosphere, and SLU's guards have thrived in that environment. Their ball movement and three-point shooting have been key differentiators in conference play.

Fordham makes the long trip from the Bronx with something to prove. The Rams have been competitive throughout conference play, but road games in the A-10 are notoriously difficult. Fordham's inside-out offense can create problems for defenses, but they'll need to match Saint Louis's physical intensity to have any chance of escaping with a victory.

Home court advantage matters significantly in A-10 play, and Saint Louis should capitalize. The Billikens' defensive discipline and efficient halfcourt execution give them the edge in what projects as a low-possession, grind-it-out affair. Fordham will compete, but the travel and hostile environment make an upset unlikely.