Kentucky vs. Gonzaga Prediction & Odds
Number four Kentucky travels to Spokane, WA to face #2 Gonzaga at 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. Can the Bulldogs cover the 3-point spread as home favorites?
Kentucky went 26-8 last season. This year, they’re 3-1 with wins coming against Duquesne, South Carolina State, and Howard. Their only loss was to Michigan State. The Wildcats are 3-1 against the spread this year.
Gonzaga went 28-4 last season. The Bulldogs are 2-1 this season with wins over North Florida and Michigan State. They lost 93-74 at Texas on Wednesday. The Bulldogs are 1-2 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
689 Kentucky Wildcats (+3) vs. 690 Gonzaga Bulldogs (-3); O/U 155.5
7:30 p.m. ET, Sunday, November 20, 2022
Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA
Kentucky vs. Gonzaga Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public favors the Wildcats in this game. Our public betting data illustrates that 89% of public bettors are on Kentucky +3. Do note that those numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Kentucky Game Notes
Kentucky demolished South Carolina State 106-63 on Thursday. Wildcats guard CJ Fredrick led all scorers with 17 points in that contest. Frederick played the first two years of his career at Iowa and this is his first season at Kentucky. He leads all Kentucky scorers at 14 points per game this season and has shot the ball extremely well from the field (50%) and the three-point line (40%). Kentucky will likely need Fredrick to make an impact in this contest.
Kentucky senior forward Oscar Tshiebwe is also averaging 14 points per game on the year. In addition to his scoring, Tshiebwe leads the Wildcats with 12.5 rebounds per game. Oscar Tshiebwe has been good on defense as well this season as he’s averaging 2 blocks per game through four contests. Tshiebwe will have to contain Gonzaga’s Drew Timme if Kentucky is going to cover the number.
Gonzaga Game Notes
The Zags are led by senior forward Drew Timme. The two-time second-team All-American is averaging a healthy 20.7 points and 8 rebounds per contest for the Bulldogs this season. Timme is doing his damage efficiently as well, shooting a blistering 60.5% from the field. He is only shooting 55.6% on free throws this season, so that’s something to keep in mind when choosing which side to take in this contest.
Gonzaga’s second-leading scorer is 6’7” junior guard Julian Strawther. Strawther is second on the club in points per game (14.7) and rebounds per game (6.7). He is tied for the team lead in steals per game at 2.0 and is tied for the team lead with 5 made three-pointers on the season. Strawther’s length and ability to shoot it from deep (41.7%) could make the difference in this game.
Kentucky vs. Gonzaga CBB Betting Trends
Kentucky is 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games following an ATS win.
Kentucky is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Sunday games.
Gonzaga is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Sunday games.
Gonzaga is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games when their opponent scores 100 or more points in their previous game.
Kentucky vs. Gonzaga CBB Prediction:
This game is being played in Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington, instead of on campus at Gonzaga’s McCarthey Athletic Center. This might dull a bit of the homecourt advantage for the Zags, but I still like them in this game. Gonzaga ranks fifth in adjusted efficiency margin on Kenpom.com, and they’re 28th in the country out of 363 teams in effective field goal percentage. What’s more, the Bulldogs have senior forward Drew Timme who’s averaged at least 18 points and 6 rebounds on 58% or better shooting from the field the past two seasons. His leadership and post-savvy will be the difference in this game and it’s why I’m laying the points with Gonzaga.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: GONZAGA BULLDOGS -3
