Gonzaga vs Purdue March Madness Lines for the Game: Sweet 16 Betting

 

Previous Betting News

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and UCLA Bruins will lock up for a Sweet 16 battle of blue bloods in what could be the best game of the round. UCLA enters the game as a (-1) favorite, with the total currently set at 145.5 points. The Bruins are juiced on the moneyline at -140, while Gonzaga is paying out at +120 to win the game straight up. The contest is scheduled for a 9:45 PM EST tip-off from T-mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, and will be broadcast on TBS. 

We will now preview the game plus our betting prediction for this Sweet 16 contest. Keep reading for college basketball betting lines, analysis, and a free pick for Gonzaga vs UCLA.

2023 March Madness Sweet 16 Games
No. 9 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. No. 4 UCLA Bruins Betting Preview

Gonzaga of West Coast meets UCLA of Pac-12 in NCAA Tourney Sweet 16
ATS Odds: Gonzaga -5.5
Moneyline Odds: Gonzaga +192 / UCLA -243
Over/Under Odds: 130.5 -110
When: Thursday, March 23 at 7:00 pm ET
Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
TV / Streaming: TBS

Why Bet on No. 3 Gonzaga versus No. 2 UCLA?

The Gonzaga Bulldogs had the more difficult path on to the sweet 16, but not by a wide margin. Mark Few’s club defeated Grand Canyon by twelve points in the first round and edged a streaky Texas Christian squad by just three in the round of 32. The Zags now own the nation’s longest winning streak at eleven games and have won 14 of their last 15 contests.  

Senior center Drew Timme has played like a man possessed in the first two games of the dance averaging 24.5 points, seven rebounds, and a couple of blocks per contest. He is shooting 20-34 overall from the field and 8-12 from the charity stripe and totaled only four personal fouls. 

If there has been a concern for Mark Few’s team it has been their defense. The Zags have allowed both opponents to score at least 1.03 points per contest in their first two games of the tournament. That could be considered acceptable against a TCU squad that was a top 25 team in the nation, but you would like to see a stronger defensive effort against Grand Canyon.

Why Bet on No. 2 UCLA versus No. 3 Gonzaga?

The UCLA Bruins have experienced an easier path to the sweet 16 having dispatched of UNC-Asheville by over 30 points a very hot and cold Northwestern group by just five points. The Bruins have been nearly as dominant as their upcoming opponent, with their sole loss since the start of February coming against Arizona in the Pac-12 conference tournament championship. 

UCLA has managed to avoid an upset in a tournament filled with them despite the loss of conference defensive player of the year Jaylen Clark just prior to postseason play. Freshman Amari Bailey has stepped up in the dance averaging 15.5 points per contest while shooting 11-17 from the floor. Jaime Jaquez led the Bruins in the second round matchup with 24 points and seven assists while going a perfect 12-12 from the stripe. Adem Bona, who missed the first-round matchup with Asheville, returned for the second-round matchup and will likely play a huge role in the game with the Zags. 

Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. UCLA Bruins Betting Odds and Prediction

As mentioned above, the biggest key to this game is whether or not Adem Bona can slow down Drew Timme. Bona is a defensive star, having been named the Pac-12 defensive player of the year, Pac-12 rookie of the year and being named to the All-Freshman squad. That said, Timme is considered to be the Fred Astair of college basketball big men, having terrific footwork the likes of which the freshman has yet to see. 

The Zags are shooting nearly 38% from deep in this tournament, and Timme will likely be effective enough to hold down the paint, look for the Zags to walk away with a victory here. 

March Madness Pick: Gonzaga. | Bet Gonzaga vs. UCLA Today
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MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game

 

 

Previous Betting News

It’s a New Year and we are at the stage of the college basketball season where we are about to get deep into conference play. This is where the teams at the top begin to get seriously tested and is often where we see the rankings start to change. There is a lot of basketball still to be played between now and March Madness, but I think it’s fair to suggest that this is the stage of the season when the pressure begins to ramp up just a little. As we do every week, we are going to look ahead to the schedule for the week, College Basketball odds and picks out a few games that jump out at us and where we think you could make some money. Let’s get right to it.

Men’s NCAA Basketball Betting Picks & Options for the Best Games in Week 9

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Purdue Boilermakers – Monday

Purdue ended the year as the #1 team in the nation, putting together a perfect 13-0 record in the process. That includes winning both of their Big Ten Conference games to this point, and they will have a chance to keep the good times rolling when they welcome Rutgers to town on Monday night. Rutgers is having themselves a pretty decent season to this point, going 9-4 overall, albeit just 1-1 in conference play, with the loss coming to Ohio State. Rutgers are on a 3-game win streak, but they will be up against on the road. Rutgers is solid on defense, so keep an eye on the point total.

Mississippi State Bulldogs at Tennessee Volunteers – Tuesday

At time of writing, both of these teams are ranked, but after losing 2 in a row, the Bulldogs are very much in danger of dropping out of the top 25. Prior to those losses, they were 11-0 on the season, but they have now started their conference schedule with a loss to Alabama, which already puts them behind the 8-ball in the SEC. Tennessee has the same 11-2 record, but they are on the move in the right direction after winning 2 in a row and are currently at #7. Can the Bulldogs get back on track or is their skid destined to continue?

Miami Hurricanes at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – Wednesday

While some conference schedules are just getting started, the ACC is already in full swing, and it is the Miami Hurricanes who are dominating the early proceedings, going 4-0 in conference play to get to 13-1 on the season. They have now won 9 in a row and are set to travel to Atlanta to face a Georgia Tech squad that is struggling to find any sort of consistency this season. They are 7-6 on the season, but they are also 0-3 in ACC play. This should be another win for the Hurricanes, but by how many points?

SMU Mustangs at Houston Cougars – Thursday

On the face of it, this looks like another win for the surging Houston Cougars, who are currently at #3 in the nation, but as we have seen before, conference matchups don’t always end up being a slam dunk. The Cougars are 14-1 overall and have made a solid start to conference play, going 2-0 to lead the AAC. It has been an up and down season for the Mustangs to this point, but they did manage to win their lone conference game. I still think this will be a win for the Cougars, but it will be interesting to see what the spread looks like.

 

 

Previous Betting News

The regular season is starting to wind down and we are headed towards conference play. For many teams, it will be win or go home, with many teams looking to punch their ticket to the big dance. Let’s take a look at our updated College Basketball National Championship Odds to see who the favorites and surprises may be.

National Championship Odds Update | NCAAB Betting

Favorite: Gonzaga Bulldogs +400

The current #1 team in the AP Poll and still the favorite for betting odds, the Gonzaga Bulldogs still sit atop of college basketball.

At 23-2 on the season, Gonzaga has not lost a game since falling to Alabama 91-82. A 16-game winning streak puts the Bulldogs at the top of the Western Coastal Conference and 2.5 games ahead of St. Mary’s.

Junior Drew Timme continues to lead the way for the Bulldogs this season averaging 18 points per game. Chet Holmgren comes as advertised, averaging 14.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game.

Julian Strawther and Andrew Nembhard are the two other Bulldogs averaging double figures as well.

Looking ahead, Gonzaga has two games left on the schedule for the regular season. They will travel to take on San Francisco and St. Mary’s to end the season.

Smart Bet: Arizona Wildcats +900

Currently ranked #2 in the nation in the AP Poll, the Arizona Wildcats would be a very smart bet to win the National Championship at +900 odds. Arizona has all the capabilities of a championship team.

They have the size to match with anyone. They have the guard play to counter many other teams in college basketball. With the size, quickness, and makeup of the team, Arizona will be a tough out this year in March.

Ben Mathurin is not only the leader of this group but is prospering into a top NBA prospect. Mathurin averages 17.4 points per game this season, one of four Wildcats that average double figures.

The Wildcats currently have a 2.5 game lead over USC and UCLA in the Pac-12 standings. There are five regular-season games left for Arizona on the schedule, including a trip to USC.

Arizona will be a good team to bet on at +900 odds to win the National Championship.

Long Shot: Illinois Fighting Illini +3300

While their odds have faltered a bit, Illinois is still a dangerous team to take on down the stretch of the season. The Illini find themselves at #15 in the AP Poll and have a chance to boost their resume by the end of the regular season.

Illinois has been led by Kofi Cockburn all season. The big man averages 21.7 points per game and 11.2 rebounds a game. Cockburn will definitely be a name in consideration for National Player of the Year.

The Illini have so many veterans on this team and it is why they could be dangerous come March. After a bad taste was left in their mouth due to the loss to Loyola-Chicago last season, Illinois is looking for redemption this season.

Illinois will end the season with Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Iowa. The Illini will be tested heading into the Big Ten Tournament and March Madness.

 

 

Previous Betting News

For only the ninth time in NCAA Tournament history, it’s a matchup of No. 1 seeds in the national championship game as Baylor faces Gonzaga on Monday from Indy. The Zags look to join a historic group by finishing unbeaten and are favored on the NCAAB odds.

How to Bet Baylor vs. Gonzaga NCAA Basketball Odds & TV Info

When: Monday, 9:20 PM ET
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV: CBS
Radio:com
Opening NCAAB Lines: Gonzaga -4.5 (total 159.5 points)

Last Meeting

The schools were supposed to play Dec. 5 also in Indianapolis but it was canceled for COVID reasons. BU seeks its first win vs. Gonzaga (0-5), first vs. a No. 1-ranked team (0-8) and first vs. a No. 1 seed (0-3). Monday is the 9th time two No. 1 seeds have met for the title (’82, ’93, ’99, ’05, ’07, ’08, ’15, ’17). Monday is the 4th time the AP’s top-2 preseason teams will meet for the title (1962, 1965, 1999) and the 2nd time teams which were AP top-3 all season meet for the title (1962 Cincinnati vs. Ohio State).

Why Bet on Gonzaga?

The Zags had (31-0) beaten every team but one this season by double digits but escaped No. 11 UCLA 93-90 in overtime on Saturday thanks to Jalen Suggs’ epic buzzer-beating banked-in three-pointer from about 40 feet as time expired. That will be remembered forever. This will surely be Suggs’ final game in college as he’s expected to turn pro and be a Top 5 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

UCLA was the first team to lead Gonzaga in the second half over five games of tournament play and had a chance to win at the end of regulation. With the game tied at 81, Johnny Juzang was taking it hard to the hoop in the final seconds, when Zags forward Drew Timme, playing with four fouls, stepped into the paint, planted his feet and took a charge.

Gonzaga is the first team to bring an undefeated record into the championship game since Larry Bird and Indiana State in 1979. Bird lost that game to Magic Johnson and Michigan State. It means Gonzaga could become the first team since the 1976 Indiana Hoosiers to go undefeated.

The Zags are 39-22 all-time in the NCAA Tournament with now 11 trips to the Sweet 16, five trips to the Elite Eight, two Final Fours and two appearances in the national championship game. Gonzaga is the only program that has been in the last six Sweet 16s. The Bulldogs received a one-seed for the fourth time in program history. They are the top-overall seed for the first time ever. Gonzaga is the first program in NCAA Div. I history to have five straight 30-win seasons.

The Zags’ 35 straight wins (a new program record) dating back to last season is the longest active streak in nation, along with its 14 straight victories on a neutral court. GU is first in the nation in scoring offense (91.6), field goal percentage (55.0), two-point percentage (63.9), scoring margin (22.5) and points in the paint (49.6).

Why Bet on Baylor?

Baylor (27-2) had no trouble with No. 2 Houston in the Final Four, 78-59. In the first-ever Final Four matchup of Texas teams, Jared Butler hit four 3-pointers and scored all 17 of his points in a dominant first half as the Bears earned a spot in their first national championship game in 73 years.

Led by Butler, who was 4-of-5 from outside the arc and 6-of-8 overall, Baylor shot 57 percent in the first half, took a double-digit lead in the first 10 minutes and never let up. By the time Davion Mitchell hit a step-back buzzer-beating 3-pointer, the Bears had the largest halftime lead in a Final Four game in 18 years (45-20) and fourth-largest in history.

“That first half was about as well as any team could play against Houston,” said Baylor coach Scott Drew.

The Bears have committed only 28 turnovers over the last 4 games, including 12 live-ball turnovers. Baylor has had 4 different leading scorers in its last 4 games (Matthew Mayer, Adam Flagler, MaCio Teague and Butler). BU is averaging a +8.4 turnover margin in the NCAA Tournament (7.6 TOs/game, 16 TOs forced/gm).

Baylor has won 23 straight non-conference games (+21.6 average margin) dating back to November 2020. Baylor is 10-2 vs. AP Top 25 teams this season, including 6-0 against AP Top 10 teams.

BU leads the nation in 3-point percentage (.412) and is top-10 nationally in scoring margin (3rd, +17.5), scoring (6th, 82.8), turnover margin (3rd, +5.5), defensive turnover pct. (3rd, 24.6), effective FG% (4th, 56.7), offensive rebound pct. (6th, 36.9), steals (9th, 8.9) and turnovers forced (9th, 17.1).

Expert Prediction

Gonzaga 83, Baylor 81

 

 

Previous Betting News

The top-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs and second-ranked Baylor Bears will both be looking to make a statement when they square off in their highly-anticipated matchup on Saturday. Baylor is coming off an impressive win over a Top 10 opponent the last time out while Gonzaga already has a pair of wins over nationally-ranked opponents. Now, let’s find out which team is offering the best betting value against their College Basketball odds in this showdown.

NCAA Basketball Predictions – No. 1 Gonzaga at No. 2 Baylor

Gonzaga Bulldogs (3-0) Battles Baylor Bears (2-0) In Huge Showdown!

When: Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020 at 1:00 PM ET
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

Why Bet On No. 1 Gonzaga

The top-ranked Bulldogs blitzed No. 6 Kansas 102-90 in their regular season opener on Nov. 26 before taking out a very good Auburn team 90-67 the following day. Gonzaga had a tougher time in getting past No. 10 West Virginia 87-82 on Wednesday. Corey Kispert finished with 19 points and five rebounds in Wednesday’s win while Andrew Nembhard added 19 points and six assists off the bench.

Talented freshman point guard Jalen Scruggs went down with a left foot injury in the first half but returned to steady an offense that clearly struggled without the five-star recruit.

“Him coming back in the game was big for us,” said Nembhard, a transfer from Florida. “He played football [in high school] so you know he’s tough. And we’re pretty versatile so we could do some different things in the second [half] to help him out. It worked out well for us.”

The Bulldogs are averaging a stellar 93.0 points per game (19th) while allowing 79.7 points per game defensively (240th).

Why Bet On No. 2 Baylor

The second-ranked Bears walloped the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns 112-82 in their regular season opener on Nov. 28 before recording a more impressive win in their second game by beating Washington 86-52 on Sunday. The Bears won their first two games under assistant coach Jerome Tang who was filling in for head coach Scott Drew after testing positive for COVID-19. The Bears then got past No. 5 Illinois on Wednesday as Adam Flagler scored a team-high 18 points off the bench and Davion Mitchell added 15 points, seven assists and four rebounds with Drew back on the sidelines.

“It definitely felt like my teammates and coaches gave me confidence,” Flagler said. “That just allowed me to compete and play as hard as I can. I can’t give enough credit to my teammates for finding me and me finding them.”

Drew said he understands the importance of this matchup.

“Anytime you have 1 vs. 2 in any sport, it draws great attention, visibility, notoriety, interest,” Drew said after the win over Illinois. “They’re very similar to our team. They have a lot of guys who can score 15 or 20 points. It’s going to be a great game and a great opportunity for us.”

Baylor is averaging 93.3 points per game (17th) while limiting the opposition to just 67.7 points per game defensively.

Expert Analysis and Prediction

Spread: Gonzaga -1
Money Lines: Gonzaga -115 / Baylor -106

Gonzaga might be the top-ranked team in the country, but Baylor is more athletic, equally well-coached and has a chip on their collective shoulders. After watching a young West Virginia team give them all sorts of trouble just a few days ago, I like Baylor to win and cover the spread. Gonzaga has gone1-4 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games. While Baylor has gone an uninspiring1-4 ATS in its last 5 games overall, the Bears are also 4-0 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games. I like Baylor to get the statement-making win in this huge meeting!

Pick: Baylor 86 Gonzaga 77

College Basketball Betting News

 

 

Previous Betting News

Purdue heads to Michigan on Thursday in desperate need of a quality win. The Boilermakers are at 9-6 this season. They must get on a roll to ensure a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The favored Wolverines won’t make it easy on the Boilermakers. Will Purdue shock Michigan in Ann Arbor on Jan. 9? Or, will the Wolverines protect their home court with a win and cover? Check out the college basketball odds, analysis and a free pick for Purdue vs Michigan!

Purdue vs Michigan 2020 College Basketball Odds, Preview & Pick

When: Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7:00 pm ET
Where: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor, MI
TV: FS1
ATS Odds: Michigan -5

Why Purdue Boilermakers are a good bet +5?

Purdue’s offense has yet to get it going. The Boilermakers average 68.2 points per. But the defense is one of the best in college basketball. Opponents score 59.1 points each game versus the Purdue Boilermakers. That ranks twelfth in college hoops. Opponents struggle shooting from both the field, 39%, and from behind the three-point line, 28.2%. Purdue’s defense can keep them in this game.

Why Michigan Wolverines are a good bet -5?

Michigan has played like one of the top teams in the Big Ten. The Wolverines dominated 3 out of conference squads earlier this season: Iowa State 83-76, North Carolina 73-64, and Gonzaga 82-64. The trends say that Michigan stands up to Purdue in this. The Boilermakers already have 6 losses. It’s difficult to see them taking it to Michigan on the road while the Wolverines are solid on both sides of the court.

Purdue vs Michigan Final Betting Analysis

Michigan looked great early in the season. But the Wolverines have fallen off. They head into this battle with Purdue after Michigan State spanked them 87-69. Can Michigan bounce back?

Although that loss points to some issues the Wolverines must deal with, they face a downtrodden bunch on Thursday night. The Purdue Boilermakers haven’t played great basketball in the past few weeks. They beat Minnesota in overtime but Butler beat them 70-61 on Dec. 21.

In their last, the Boilermakers had no answer for the Illinois Illini. The Illini dominated 63-37. Purdue is 1-3 ATS in their last 4. Michigan bounces back with a huge win and cover.

College Basketball Free Pick: Michigan -5

 

 

Previous Betting News

The current #1 team in the nation, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, should march into the NCAA Tournament the overall #1 seed. But, #1 doesn’t mean the Zags are necessarily worth a wager to win the NCAA Championship.

Download Our Exclusive 2019 March Madness Bracket now!

Check out reasons why the Zags will take the title and why they won’t before getting to the bottom line on #1 Gonzaga.

Is #1 Gonzaga a Winning Pick for the 2019 March Madness Tournament?

Current Record: 29-2
Current Odds to Win it All: +650

Reasons Gonzaga Won’t Win it All

The first reason’s obvious. It’s difficult to win an NCAA Tournament. That’s why great teams in the past haven’t always won it. Upsets in the NCAA Tournament happen all the time. The reason why is because it’s difficult to win 6 games in a row as it is. It’s really difficult to win 6 games in a row when each game becomes harder than the last.

For the Zags, history isn’t on their side. Since Mark Few became coach in the 1999-2000 season, the Zags have made the NCAA Tournament every year. They’ve made it to the Sweet 16 only 6 times. They’ve made it to the Final Four once.

Few’s taken the Zags to the Elite Eight twice while the Zags have bowed out in the Round of 32 8 times. Gonzaga also has two Round of 64 performances. History doesn’t say Gonzaga wins the National Championship.

Reasons Gonzaga Will Win it All

Based on record and stats, they’re the best team in the nation. Gonzaga’s only lost twice during the season. Both losses made sense. They dropped a game early in the season on the road versus #3 North Carolina. Most teams struggle in the Dean Smith Center.

The other loss happened in overtime against Tennessee on a neutral court. The Zags only lost to the Volunteers by 3 points. Not only that, but Gonzaga beat Duke. They should also be well-rested because they play in the West Coast Conference, one of the worst college hoops’ conferences in the nation.

All of it could add up to Gonzaga winning it all.

Bottom Line: Is Gonzaga a Winning Pick to Win it All?

Right now, Gonzaga’s a great pick to win it all. First, they’ll be more rested than their competition. Second, they should enter the NCAA Tournament the overall 1-seed, meaning they get the best draw of the other 1-seeds, and, third, the stats back up their chances: 89.8 points per from 53.4% shooting while allowing 64.9 points per from 38.5% shooting.

Oh, and we’ve got to love the +650 odds, right? Putting money on the Zags to win the NCAA Tournament makes all the sense in the world.

2019 March Madness Expert Betting News

 

 

Previous Betting News

The time has come to start thinking about what games to wager on in March Madness. The opening rounds will see the games come thick and fast, and try to wager on them all will likely do nothing but see your bankroll take a hit. The idea here is to wager on the games that you feel confident about and which offer some level of value. You are probably not going to find that in the games featuring the #1 and #2 seeds in each region in the opening round. Once you get beyond that group, though, you might be able to start finding some College Basketball betting options that are worth taking a look at.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are in as the #3 seed in the West Region and will open their tournament as a 12 ½ point favorite against the UNC Greensboro Spartans, a team that is going to be very tough to break down, as they have a stellar defensive unit. There are a lot of folks who like Gonzaga to go on a deep run, but can they cover that big spread?

Spartans vs. Bulldogs College Basketball Betting Analysis

When: Thursday, March 15 at 1:30 PM EST
Where: Taco Bell Arena, Boise
TV: TNT
Radio: TuneIn
Live Stream: MM Live
College Basketball Betting Odds: Gonzaga Bulldogs -12.5 (Over/Under at 136 points)

How to Bet Kansas vs. Penn March Madness Odds for First Round

Why bet on the UNC Greensboro Spartans?

The UNC Greensboro Spartans are not a team that is going to go out to conquer the National Championship, but they are a team that could prove to be a thorn in the side of the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The Spartans won the regular season Southern Conference crown and then followed that up by winning their conference tournament with a convincing 62-47 win over Eastern Tennessee State. That victory actually tells you a lot about what this team is about, as they got to 27 wins on the season by playing some outstanding defense along the way.

The Spartans gave up just 62 PPG this season, good enough for 6th best in the nation. They are not an offensively talented lot, but their 73.5 PPG is not what you would call awful either. This is a team in a rich vein of form, winning 6 in a row and 10 of their last 11 games to close out the season.

Team Statistics

Why bet on the Gonzaga Bulldogs?

The Gonzaga Bulldogs have become something of a fixture in March Madness, as they have appeared in the tournament on 20 different occasions, although they have only made it to the Final Four once. This is a talented basketball team this season and they come into the tournament on a high after winning the WCC in the regular season and in the conference tournament.

There are few teams coming in hotter than the Bulldogs, as they ended their season on a 14-game win streak, so I am sure that they will be looking to carry that momentum forward when their March Madness run begins on Thursday. Gonzaga is one of the most offensively gifted teams in the country, averaging 84.5 PPG this season, good for 6th in the nation.

Team Statistics

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are a team that many people are looking at as a potential Final Four candidate, but they need to get over this first hurdle to get things rolling. That they will do.

Score: UNC Greensboro Spartans 59 – Gonzaga Bulldogs 74

 

 

Previous Betting News

How weak is the Big Ten this year? When the NCAA Tournament selection committee released its top 4 seeds in each region on Saturday, the Big Ten was nowhere to be found. The best team in the conference might well be No. 16 Purdue and it will be a NCAA basketball betting favorite over sorry Rutgers on Tuesday.

Rutgers at Purdue Lines, Free Pick & TV Info

When: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 7 PM ET
Where: Mackey Arena, West Lafayette
TV: Big Ten Network
Opening NCAAB Lines: TBA

Why Bet On Rutgers?

The Scarlet Knights are off a 72-63 loss to Minnesota on Saturday. Rutgers (13-13, 2-11) had three players score in double figures and committed its fewest turnovers in a Big Ten game this season, but was unable to overcome its struggles at the free throw line. The Scarlet Knights were 10-of- 22 at the charity stripe, while the Gophers deposited 13-of- 15. In Big Ten games the Scarlet Knights are hitting just 55 percent from the charity stripe, last in the league by a wide margin.

“People just don’t have confidence to step up there and knock down free throws,” said junior guard Mike Williams, who scored 14 points. “It’s a problem.”

Rutgers was within five with possession in the final stages, but a three-point attempt by Nigel Johnson with just over a minute to play rattled-out in another hard-fought defeat. Seven of RU’s last 10 games have been decided by single digits.

Williams and C.J. Gettys both scored 14 points and Corey Sanders added 13 to pace the RU offense. Williams was 6-of- 12 from the field, while Gettys shot 5-of- 8 and grabbed eight rebounds. The Scarlet Knights benefitted from a 13-6 advantage in points-off- turnovers and out-scored Minnesota 16-2 in fast break points. Rutgers shot 41.7 percent from the floor (including 35.3 percent in the second half) and converted just three of its 14 3-pointers.

Rutgers had 14 offensive rebounds, its 22nd game this season with double-digit totals on the offensive glass. Rutgers is third nationally in offensive rebounds-per- game (15.16), fifth in rebounds (42.0), 19th in rebound margin (+7.2), 23rd in blocks (5.3) and 24th field goal percentage defense (39.8). The Scarlet Knights still have a chance to post the program’s first non-losing season since 2006, but the window is closing fast.

Why Bet On Purdue?

The Boilermakers have been off since a 69-64 win at rival Indiana on Thursday. Vincent Edwardsmatched his career-high with 26 points and Caleb Swanigan added 16 points and 14 rebounds. The Boilermakers (20-5, 9-3 Big Ten) have won three straight and six of seven to move into second place in the conference.

Indiana led 57-55 after Josh Newkirk’s 3-pointer with 4:56 to go, but the Boilermakers scored seven straight and then made it 64-59 when Swanigan completed a three-point play with 1:02 left. Purdue sealed it from the free throw line.

Purdue is now 9-3 in the Big Ten for the first time since the 2010-11 season. Purdue has 20 wins in the first 25 games for the 11th time since the 1979-80 season (38 years), and the fifth time under Matt Painter. It has won at Indiana, Michigan State and Ohio State in the same season for the first time since 2009-10.

Purdue is now 4-3 this year when trailing at halftime, having won two straight games against Maryland and Indiana. Since the start of the 2014-15 season, Purdue is 13-11 when trailing at halftime. Purdue is 17-1 this year when holding opponents under 48.0 percent shooting.

Edwards now needs just 17 points to become the 50th player in school history with 1,000 career points. He also surpassed 475 career rebounds in the win. Swanigan notched his 21st double-double of the season. He has recorded a double-double in seven straight games, tied for the fifth-longest double-double streak in Purdue history. Swanigan moved into fifth on the Purdue single-season rebounds list (320), just 32 shy of the school record. He also surpassed 600 career rebounds, the 23rd player in Purdue history with 600 or more rebounds.

Purdue, UCLA and Marquette are the only power-conference schools to rank in the nation’s top 25 in both 3-point percentage and 3-pointers made per game. Purdue is 4th and 20th, respectively.

Rutgers at Purdue Free Pick: Purdue Boilermakers

Go Purdue on NCAA basketball odds.

 

 

Previous Betting News

Thanks to their six-game winning streak, the Gonzaga Bulldogs currently sitting at the top of WCC Standings, 1.5 games ahead of the Saint Mary’s Gaels. The season is, however, far from finished, so the Bulldogs will need to maintain their winning momentum for the rest of the season if they are to repeat as conference champions. In essence, this means that the Zags must treat Saturday’s road trip at #16 SMU Mustangs with all the seriousness it deserves in the NCAAB lines. But before you guide your wagers on this game preview below, let’s recap on their last confrontation, which was in November 2014.

Gonzaga vs. SMU NCAAB Matchup and TV Information

When: Saturday, February 13, 10:00 PM ET
Where: Moody Coliseum, Dallas, Texas
TV: ESPN2
Opening Lines: TBA

Why Bet on Gonzaga

After a slow start to the season that saw them trail the WCC standings for the majority of the season, the Bulldogs are seemingly back to their ferocious ways, winning the last six in a row and 14 of their last 16 outings.

In their last outing, a 92-66 win over Portland, the Zags were absolutely lights out in the offense, nailing 15 of their 26 three point attempts. Gonzaga’s leading scorer on the season, Kyle Wiltjer, led the team with five 3-pointers and 21 points, Domantas Sabonis had his 15 double-double of the season (17 points and 11 rebounds) and the rest of the team also chipped in handily–Kyle Dranginis (16 points), Eric McClellan (14 points) and Silas Melson (13 points).

If this blistering talent-laden offense, which is averaging 80.2 PPG (35th-best in the nation), can show up strongly against SMU, the Bulldogs will certainly have a shot at winning this game. This should be particularly encouraged by the fact that Gonzaga has a solid defense that is allowing just 65.3 PPG (35th-best in the nation).

Why Bet on SMU

Interestingly, the Mustangs compare very closely with the Bulldogs in terms of offensive and defensive production. Offensively, the Mustangs are scoring 79.9 PPG (36th-best in the nation) and giving up 64.4 PPG (25th-best in the nation), something that points out to the popular expectation that we will be having a close contest between the Bulldogs and Mustangs this Saturday.

Statistics aside, the Bulldogs have lost just three games and have a 20-3 record (the best mark in the American Conference). As a concern, though, the Mustangs are coming off an 82-77 defeat to Tulsa, a loss that marked SMU’s first home loss of the season.

In addition, after starting the season with 18 straight wins, the Mustangs have been very shaky, losing three of their last five overall games. Against a Gonzaga team that has lost just once on the road this season, which they in fact put a spirited 70-67 losing effort at SMC, the Mustangs will need to regroup quickly and get back to basics in order to avoid a second straight home loss.

Expert NCAAB Predictions and Picks

While Nic Moore and his fellow Mustangs are talented enough to win this likely shootout affair, their recent struggles makes me doubt their abilities. This is mainly because all three of SMU‘s losses have come against teams with worse records than the Bulldogs, while Gonzaga has been on an absolute tear—especially in the offense where they have averaged nearly 84 PPG scoring in their last 16 contest (14 of those being wins). On that basis, I believe both teams will combine for tons of points, with each of them scoring 70-plus points, but in the end, Gonzaga’s superior offense will find a way to outlast SMU for a close win.

NCAAB Picks: Gonzaga for SU, Gonzaga for ATS, Total: OVER, Score Prediction: Gonzaga 83, SMU 80.

 

 

Previous Betting News

After taking part in their respective weekend fixtures, the Pepperdine Waves and the Gonzaga Bulldogs will grace our NCAA Basketball lines when they take on each other on Monday, December 21st, starting at 9:00 PM ET, with the game set to be televised on ESPN2. For all college basketball betting enthusiasts, find an early game preview of this top-tier matchup in the section below.

A Look At The Waves vs Bulldogs NCAA Basketball Lines Preview

Why Bet on the Waves

After a rough start to the season that saw them lose four of their first six games, the Waves (6-4) have seemingly found some consistency in their game and are entering the weekend game against Louisiana on a four-game winning streak. The awakening in the Pepperdine team has been down to an all-rounded effort from the entire squad (including starters and the bench), though no one can deny that guard Lamond Murray Jr. (team-bests of 14.8 PPG and 52.5 field goal percentage) has been the leader in the team.

If Murray, Shawn Olden, Jeremy Major and Stacy Davis can approach this game with the same seriousness they’ve showcased in their last four games, there is little doubt that the streaking Waves will be a force to reckon with on Monday.

Why Bet on the Bulldogs

The last time the Bulldogs played the Waves, it was in the 2014-15 West Coast Conference tournament semifinal, a game the Zags won 79-61 to advance into the WCC tournament finals. A good number of the players who shined in that game (including Kyle Wiltjer and Domantas Sabonis) are still present in the Bulldogs team, offering the hosts another chance to beat the visiting Waves.

As a concern, though, this year’s Zags no longer have the offensive umph that made them a feared team last season. Yes, Wiltjer (team-best average of 20.3 PPG) is still a star forward and Sabonis (64.4 field goal percentage) is equally lethal on the forward role, as was showcased when Sabonis had 21 points and 13 boards, and Kyle Wiltjer added 18 points and 11 rebounds on Monday Night to help the Zags beat St. Martin’s 86-50. However, the Zags have had major injury concerns throughout the season, so fluency has been an issue in the team. In turn, that has led to a drop-off in offensive production, with the Zags averaging just 75.1 PPG (tied for 153rd in the nation).

Not to mention, Gonzaga (7-3) has already lost three games this season, which is already way more than they lost last season en route to a deep contention in the Tourney. The Zags will thus need more than just Wiltjer and Sabonis to shine if they are to stop the surging Waves from pulling an upset win this Monday.

My Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

Although injuries are still a concern in Gonzaga, the hosts can take comfort in the fact that they have one of the best rebounding units in the nation, averaging 43.0 RPG entering the weekend games. With this solid rebounding unit, the Zags will most likely win the battle for second chance opportunities, offering Gonzaga a better chance of coming out on top with the win. However, you can expect Pepperdine to hang real tight, better than they did back in March.

My Final Score Prediction: Gonzaga 79, Pepperdine 76.