Xavier vs. Gonzaga Prediction
Can No. 1 Gonzaga finally get to its first Final Four when it takes on No. 11 Xavier in the NCAA Tournament at 6:09PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Gonzaga is the clear favorite in this game, as the Bulldogs are getting odds of -8 points against Xavier. The over/under total for the game is listed at 145.5 points. These two meet in the West Regional Final today on TBS from the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
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Gonzaga is the top seed in the region and the Bulldogs have just one loss this season, sitting at 35-1 overall. They have been strong at the betting window as well, going 22-9-2 against the spread for the season. However, Zaga is 0-2-1 ATS in the NCAA Tournament, having close calls with Northwestern and West Virginia over their last two games. Zaga averages 83.2 points per game on offense while allowing just 61 on defense. Gonzaga has good balance on offense, with five players averaging double figures. Nigel Williams-Gross is the team leader at 16.5 points and 4.7 assists per game while Przemek Karnowski adds 12.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest.
Xavier has been this year’s big surprise team as the 11 seed making it to the Elite Eight. The Musketeers have covered in all three wins, beating the likes of Maryland, Florida State and Arizona. Xavier is now 24-13 overall and 18-18 against the spread, though they have covered in seven straight. Xavier is averaging 75.1 points per game on offense while allowing 71 per game on defense. What’s impressive is Xavier has made this run without Edmond Sumner, who was averaging 15 points and 5 assists per game before going down with a knee injury late in January. Trevon Bluiett is leading the team with 18.7 and 5.6 rebounds per contest.
When looking at seeds, you can understand why Gonzaga is a big favorite, but throw seeds out the window at this point. Xavier was a 2-point dog to Maryland and won by 11. It was a 7-point dog to FSU and won by 25. The Musketeers were a 7.5-point dog to Arizona and won by two. This team is good and has nothing to lose. Gonzaga has the weight of the world on its shoulders to finally make a Final Four. It seems to be their best chance, but they have a Cinderella ready to fight. Gonzaga may win, but this is going to be tough.
MARCH MADNESS PREDICTION: XAVIER +8