The No. 13 UNCG Spartans (27-7) go head-to-head with the No. 4 Gonzaga Bulldogs (30-4) in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Taco Bell Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 15, 2018.
Gonzaga is a 12.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 136.5 points.
UNCG Spartans vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Prediction
In the , the Spartans beat the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, 62-47. The Spartans had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 36.4 (above their season average of 34.3) and held the Buccaneers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.337 (below their season average of 0.541). UNCG received a boost from James Dickey, who finished with nine points, eight rebounds and five blocks.
The Bulldogs easily got past the BYU Cougars in the , 74-54. The Bulldogs were 6-7 from the foul line (85.7 percent) and held the Cougars to an offensive rebounding percentage of 15.0 (below their season average of 22.9). With 10 points and 13 rebounds, Gonzaga’s Johnathan Williams had a good performance.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the productive offense of Gonzaga (second in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 120.9) takes on the elite defense of UNCG (fifth in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 92.6). Additionally, the Spartans, who rank 29th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.4 percent), will face a tough challenge against the Bulldogs, who rank 14th in defensive rebounding percentage (77.1 percent).
UNCG holds records of 27-7 straight up (SU) and 18-9 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Spartans are involved, as 59.3 percent of their games have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga owns records of 30-4 SU and 14-17 ATS. Coinciding with UNCG, just over half of Bulldogs games have finished under the total.
Johnathan Williams and Killian Tillie have been playing well over the last five games for Gonzaga. Williams has averaged 15.0 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Not to be outdone, Tillie has recorded 18.4 points and 5.6 rebounds a game during that span.
UNCG Spartans vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Gonzaga, ATS Winner – Gonzaga, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Gonzaga ranks 24th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while UNCG ranks 200th (7.1).
The Spartans average 27.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 20th in the nation. The Bulldogs rank 116th in three pointers allowed per game (20.9).
Gonzaga ranks 46th in assists per game (15.7) while UNCG ranks 121st (14.1).
The Bulldogs rank 13th in rebounds per game (39.9) while the Spartans rank 82nd (37.1).
UNCG allows the ninth-fewest blocks per game (2.3) while Gonzaga ranks 36th (2.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Spartans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.8, up from 11.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 80.2 points per game (4.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.0 points per game (3.1 below their season average).
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