Gonzaga vs. South Carolina Prediction
The 2017 Final Four gets underway tonight when Gonzaga meets up with South Carolina at 6:09PM ET. Which team has the edge to win and cover?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Gonzaga is favored in this game, as the Bulldogs are getting odds of -7 points against the Gamecocks. The over/under total is listed at 137.5 points. Today’s game will be taking place from University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona and will air live on CBS.
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Gonzaga emerged as the winner of the West Region. The Bulldogs were a No. 1 seed coming into the tournament and have an impressive 36-1 record this season. They were also 23-9-2 against the spread for the season, but just 1-2-1 against the spread in the NCAA Tournament. Zaga has averaged 83.2 points per game on offense while allowing 60.9 on defense. Over these last two weeks, the Bulldogs are putting up 72.25 points per game on offense and allowing just 59 on defense. Nigel Williams-Goss has been leading the team this season with 16.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game. Przemek Karnowski is adding 12.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per contest.
South Carolina was the No. 7 seed in the East Region, but the Gamecocks shocked many by winning four straight and making their first Final Four, just like Gonzaga. South Carolina is now 26-10 overall and 15-16-2 against the spread. They have covered in all four NCAA Tournament games, including three as an underdog. South Carolina is averaging 72.7 points per game on offense this season while allowing 65 on defense. During this tournament run, the Gamecocks are averaging 82 points on offense while allowing 68.5. Sindarius Thornwell has been leading the team with 21.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. He has scored at least 24 points in each of these last four games.
Gonzaga is the top seed and has only one loss, but South Carolina continues to get little respect despite their impressive run. Especially when you consider the Gamecocks have beaten the likes of Duke, Baylor and Florida to get here. Gonzaga did beat West Virginia, but got an 11 seed in the Elite 8 and struggled to finish off Northwestern in the second round. South Carolina is playing at a high level and the Gamecocks have the best player on the floor. I think that is going to lead to a cover.
MARCH MADNESS PREDICTION: SOUTH CAROLINA +7
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