Portland Pilots vs San Francisco Dons Picks and Predictions for Saturday March 7 2026
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The Portland Pilots and San Francisco Dons meet in the West Coast Conference Tournament Third Round on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET, and the game will be televised on ESPN+. At the time of this writing, the odds were not released. If you are looking for more insight into today’s college basketball tournament action, be sure to check out our free college basketball picks for additional expert predictions.
Portland Pilots Building Momentum Through the Bracket
The Portland Pilots enter this third-round matchup with a 15-18 overall record and a 6-12 mark in WCC play. Portland has already picked up two wins in the tournament, defeating Pepperdine and Washington State to reach this stage. Over their last five games, the Pilots have recently won over Washington State, Pepperdine, and San Diego, while recently losing to Gonzaga and Seattle.
Portland averages 74.7 points per game while allowing 78.4 points per contest, showing a team that can score but often finds itself in high-scoring battles. The Pilots shoot 47% from the field, collect 33.6 rebounds per game, and average 16.8 assists, reflecting a team that moves the ball well offensively. Defensively they generate 6.1 steals and 2.9 blocks per game, creating occasional opportunities in transition.
In the second-round win over Washington State, Garrett Nuckolls led the Pilots with 23 points, hitting 8-of-14 shots from the field and 7-of-8 free throws. Jermaine Ballisager Webb controlled the glass with 12 rebounds, helping Portland secure a 38-34 rebounding advantage. The Pilots also shot 47% from the field and 86% from the free throw line, a strong offensive performance that will be critical again as they face a rested San Francisco team.
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San Francisco Dons Ready After First-Round Bye
The San Francisco Dons finished the regular season with a 16-15 overall record and an 8-10 WCC record, earning a first-round bye in the conference tournament. Over their last five games, San Francisco has recently won over Pacific and San Diego, while recently losing to Santa Clara, Gonzaga, and Oregon State.
San Francisco averages 74.4 points per game while allowing 73.3 points per contest, making them a relatively balanced team on both ends of the floor. The Dons shoot 44% from the field, pull down 36.0 rebounds per game, and average 13.8 assists per contest. Defensively they produce 5.1 steals and 3.1 blocks per game, often relying on size and rebounding to slow opponents.
In their most recent game, a 72-61 win over Pacific, David Fuchs delivered a dominant performance with 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting while also grabbing 7 rebounds to lead the team on the glass. San Francisco shot 51% from the field and 43% from three-point range in that game, showing the type of offensive efficiency that could be difficult for a tired Portland squad to defend.
Portland vs San Francisco Pick
Portland vs San Francisco Spread Pick
- Pick: San Francisco Dons - Moneyline
San Francisco enters this matchup with the advantage of extra rest and a strong interior presence with David Fuchs. While Portland has built momentum through two tournament wins, the Pilots are now playing their third game in three days, which could impact their energy and defensive intensity late in the game. The Dons’ rebounding edge and ability to score efficiently in the paint should allow them to control the tempo and gradually pull away.
Portland vs San Francisco Total Pick
- Pick: Over
I like the over in this matchup because both teams have shown they can score consistently. Portland averages nearly 75 points per game and has been playing with confidence offensively in the tournament. San Francisco also has an efficient offense and just shot 51% from the field in its last game. With both teams capable of generating scoring runs and Portland’s defense allowing over 78 points per game, this matchup has strong potential to reach a higher total.
Final Score Prediction: San Francisco 80, Portland 73
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