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The Gonzaga Bulldogs will look to finally win the elusive NCAA Championship from the three-line this season and will kick off the tournament against the Grand Canyon Antelopes on Friday. The Zags quietly closed the season with a 28-5 record, while the Antelopes finished 24-11 and won the Western Athletic Conference tournament to punch their ticket. The contest is scheduled for a 7:35 PM EST tip-off from Ball Arena in Denver, CO, and will be broadcast on Tru TV. Gonzaga enters the game as a (-15.5) favorite, with the total currently set at 155 points.

Read our betting predictions for this Round of 64 contest. Keep reading for college basketball lines, analysis, and a free pick for Grand Canyon vs Gonzaga.

2023 March Madness Round of 64 Game
No. 14 Grand Canyon Antelopes vs. No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Preview

Grand Canyon of Western Athletic meets Gonzaga of West Coast in NCAA Tourney First Round
ATS Odds: Gonzaga -15.5
Moneyline Odds: Grand Canyon +900 / Gonzaga -1830
Over/Under Odds: 156.5 -110
When: Friday, March 17 at 7:35 pm ET
Where: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
TV / Streaming: truTV

Why Bet on No. 14 Grand Canyon Antelopes against No. 13 Gonzaga Bulldogs?

The Antelopes are led by tournament legend Bryce Drew, who you will see on every game intro this season as he hit one of the most iconic shots in NCAA Tournament history. Coach Drew is making his fifth appearance in the tournament as a coach and second as the coach of Grand Canyon though he has yet to make it out of the first round in any appearance.

Grand Canyon boasts three double-digit point scorers on the roster led by Presbyterian transfer Rayshon Harrison. Harrison, the Western Athletic Conference tournament MVP, is averaging over 17 points a game on the season but really turned it on in four games for the automatic bid. The 6’4 guard opened the tournament and closed the tournament with 30+ point performances and averaged 20 points per game for the event.

Grand Canyon Antelopes Offensive Averages

Points/G: 72.3
FG %: 52.9
3PT%: 22.2
FT %: 71.5
Rebounds/G: 35.2

Grand Canyon Antelopes Defensive Averages

Points/G: 68.7
FG %: 47.2
3PT%: 19.2
FT %: 70.0
Rebounds/G: 34.0

Why Bet on No. 13 Gonzaga Bulldogs against No. 14 Grand Canyon Antelopes?

The Gonzaga Bulldogs have taken some heat this season, and that might be unfair. While the Zags are not as celebrated as in recent seasons, this team still won 28 games, still won their conference tournament championship, and defeated five teams that are a part of this tournament. Their only questionable loss on the season was against Loyola Marymount, and they avenged that defeat by crushing LMU by 43 points on the road.

The Bulldogs are currently riding a nine-game winning streak which is the sixth-longest active streak. Coach Mark Few has not lost an NCAA Tournament game in the first round of the event since 2008, and that instance is only one of two such occurrences since Few took the job in 1999.

The knock on the Zags all season has been their guard play. However, sophomore guard Nolan Hickman has played well of late. The All-Freshman selection from last season is averaging roughly nine points three rebounds, and three assists and shooting over 48% from deep over his last eight games. Most importantly, Hickman is only averaging 0.5 turnovers per game despite averaging 27 minutes per game.

Gonzaga Bulldogs Offensive Averages

Points/G: 74.9
FG %: 52.4
3PT%: 20.3
FT %: 71.7
Rebounds/G: 35.9

Gonzaga Bulldogs Defensive Averages

Points/G: 67.9
FG %: 47.1
3PT%: 20.4
FT %: 72.3
Rebounds/G: 34.9

Grand Canyon vs Gonzaga Betting Trends

Gonzaga has covered 14 times in 32 chances against the spread this season.
Grand Canyon has covered 14 times in 32 games with a spread this season.
The Bulldogs average 20.7 more points per game (87.5) than the Antelopes allow (66.8).
Grand Canyon is 11-17 against the spread and 20-11 overall when allowing fewer than 87.5 points.
When it scores more than 72.9 points, Grand Canyon is 7-7 against the spread and 14-3 overall.
Gonzaga has a 13-14 record against the spread and a 25-3 record overall when putting up more than 66.8 points.
The Antelopes score an average of 75.3 points per game, just 2.4 more points than the 72.9 the Bulldogs give up to opponents.
Gonzaga is 10-7 against the spread and 17-2 overall when it allows fewer than 75.3 points.

Grand Canyon vs Gonzaga Betting Odds and Prediction

History is really on Gonzaga’s side in this game, as Mark Few has established himself as a good coach in March despite the lack of a championship. Grand Canyon was the fifth seed in the WAC tournament and really needed some fantastic performances to have their dance card punched. The Bulldogs boast one of the best big men in the nation in Drew Timme, while also have a roster that has been in this situation before. Gonzaga rolls big in this game.

March Madness Round of 64 Pick: Gonzaga | Bet Grand Canyon vs Gonzaga Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game