The Gonzaga Bulldogs will host the Portland Pilots on Wednesday night in a fascinating West Coast Conference regular-season matchup that carries meaning for both programs. Gonzaga enters as a top 10 squad looking to claim at least a share of the WCC regular-season title in front of a home crowd on Senior Night, while Portland arrives with a chance to repeat one of the biggest wins in school history after stunning the Bulldogs earlier this month. Here, I break down this WCC contest and you will find my Portland vs Gonzaga prediction below.
Our Portland vs Gonzaga Pick
Pick:
Confidence: 4 out of 5
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Portland Pilots @ Gonzaga Bulldogs
- Date & Time: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 9:00 PM Eastern Time
- Venue: McCarthey Athletic Center, Spokane, Washington
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Key Storylines
- Gonzaga (27-2, 15-1 WCC) has one loss in conference play and sits among the nation’s elite teams. By winning, the Bulldogs can secure at least a share of the WCC regular season title and lock down the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament.
- Portland (12-17, 5-11 WCC) shocked the college basketball world with an 87-80 upset of Gonzaga earlier this season, marking its first AP Top Ten win in program history and snapping a long drought against highly-ranked opponents. The Pilots are looking to repeat that success on the road, but that won’t be an easy task at all.
- This game doubles as Gonzaga’s Senior Night, adding emotional weight to the game for the home squad as well as a motivational component for the Pilots seeking to spoil the celebration.
Key Players
Gonzaga Bulldogs
- Graham Ike: The Bulldogs’ leading scorer and rebounder, averaging approximately 19.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per contest. He’s logged at least 20 points in nine straight games for GU and provides the consistent offensive force Gonzaga needs to dominate inside.
- Davis Fogle: A dynamic scoring threat off the bench who has delivered big games and complementary production to Ike.
- Mario Saint-Supery: A streaky threat from beyond the arc, contributing spacing that forces opponents to defend the perimeter and alleviates pressure on the interior scorers.
Portland Pilots
- Joel Foxwell: The freshman point guard leads Portland with around 16.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game. He exploded for 27 points in the season’s earlier meeting with Gonzaga. He is the engine of the Pilot offense.
- James O’Donnell: Consistent offensive contributor, averaging roughly 12.6 points over his last 10 games and helping keep Portland competitive in tough matchups.
- Jermaine Ballisager Webb: A senior presence inside, averaging around 8.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, adding veteran stability down low that will be needed against the loaded frontcourt of the Zags.
Stat Comparison
| Stat | Portland | Gonzaga |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 75.1 | 86.8 |
| Points allowed per game | 78.9 | 66.8 |
| Team Field Goal % | 47% | 51% |
| Rebounds per game | 33.6 | 40.6 |
| Assists per game | 16.8 | 18.1 |
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- The teams met earlier this season in Portland with the Pilots earning an 87-80 victory in a shocking result that marked Portland’s first win over a top 10 opponent in many years.
- Gonzaga holds a lopsided all-time advantage in the series, with a 111-67 edge overall and dominant home success against the Pilots.
- Gonzaga is 16-13 against the spread this season.
- Portland enters this matchup with a 12-15 record against the spread.
Portland vs Gonzaga Model Projection
Score Projection:
Win Probability:
Final Thoughts
