Gonzaga vs Utah NCAA March Madness Betting Odds

Posted by D.Zamzack on Saturday,March 19, 2016 12:39, EDT in

The No. 3 Utah Utes and No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs will square off in an evenly matched Pick ‘Em pairing that looks like it could be one of the best matchups in the Round of 32. We have prepared an exclusive game preview complete with March madness betting odds, game analysis and pick for all college basketball fans, so let’s begin!

Gonzaga vs Utah NCAA March Madness Betting Odds

When: 8:40 PM ET, Saturday, March 19, 2016
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
NCAAB Betting Spread: Pk
Game Total: 139, o/u -110
TV: TNT
Online Streaming: Watch TNT

Why Bet the No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (27-7 SU, 16-15 ATS) pounded previously red-hot Seton Hall in their 68-52 second round win to cash in as a 2-point favorite and improve to a perfect 6-0 ATS over their last half-dozen games. Center Domantas Sabonis led Gonzaga with 21 points and 16 rebounds in the win and the Bulldogs outrebounded the Pirates 49-34 in the commanding victory.

Gonzaga defeated Portland, BYU, and St. Mary’s to win the WCC Tournament in their previous three games and averages a solid 79.7 points per game while giving up 66.2 points per contest. Sweet-shooting Kyle Wiltjer averages a team-high 20.7 points per game while Sabonis averages 17.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following an SU win and 4-0 ATS in their last four games against a team with a winning SU record.

Why Bet the No. 3 Utah Utes

The Utes (27-8 SU, 17-15 ATS) manhandled Fresno State in their 80-69 win on Thursday to cash in as an 8.5-point favorite as Jakob Poeltl scored a team-high 16 points and 18 rebounds. Utah won the battle of the boards by a whopping 35-15 and added 16 assists in the victory.

Utah has won nine of their last 10 games and averages a healthy 77.6 points per game while giving up 69.1 points per game defensively. Poeltl is averaging 17.6 points per game while Jordan Loveridge contributes 11.8 points per contest.

The Utes are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall, 4-1 ATS in their L/5 neutral site games and 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games following an SU win.

Expert March Madness Betting Pick & Final Score Prediction

I expect this matchup to be one of the most entertaining pairings on the third round docket, but in the end, I’m going with the 56 percent of public bettors that likes Gonzaga to cover the spread. Gonzaga has two likely NBA performers in Wiltjer and Sabonis while Utah’s Poeltl is clearly going to be a layer that makes it at the next level. The Bulldogs however, are the far better defensive team in this matchup and I believe that will be the difference.

The Utes may be 7-2 ATS in their last nine games against a team with a winning SU record, but Gonzaga has compiled an unblemished 4-0 ATS mark in their last four neutral site games, making them the right pick in this pairing.

My final score prediction is Gonzaga 79 Utah 77