RECORD: 17-5 overall, 8-0 WCC

COMING UP: Today at Saint Mary’s, 8 p.m. ESPN2; Saturday at San Francisco, 8, ESPNU.

OUTLOOK: Preseason polls had the Bulldogs and Gaels battling for the WCC title and it was playing out that way – until Saint Mary’s guard Patty Mills suffered a broken hand against Gonzaga two weeks ago. At 6-3 in conference, the Gaels are struggling to stay on the NCAA tournament bubble while Mills mends from surgery. He could return for the WCC tournament. The Gaels are relying on the inside presence of Omar Samhan and Diamon Simpson. Gonzaga, which has lost three of its last four at McKeon Pavilion, is trying to shake off a disappointing 68-50 loss to Memphis. The Bulldogs’ Matt Bouldin needs one point to reach 1,000 for his career.