Gonzaga (0-0) vs Baylor (0-0)
Game Info: Monday, November 4, 2024 at 11:30 pm (Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena)
Betting Odds: Gonzaga -5.5 / Baylor +5.5 — Over/Under: 155.5
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The Baylor Bears and Gonzaga Bulldogs meet Monday in college basketball action at the Spokane Arena. Here’s a Baylor vs Gonzaga Prediction. This article will include a Baylor vs Gonzaga Pick.
Baylor Bears Betting Preview
The Baylor Bears have won at least 20 games in each of the last 6 seasons, but they’ve been bounced in the second round 3 straight years. Coach Scott Drew enters his 22nd season with Baylor, and the Bears play Arkansas and Sam Houston next.
Baylor lost its top-3 scorers from last season, but Langston Love returns after averaging 11 points and 2.9 rebounds. Jayden Nunn played in 35 games, averaging 10.5 points and 2 assists. Josh Ojianwuna averaged 15.5 minutes per game, but those are the only 3 players returning for Baylor. The good news is Baylor landed a 5-star recruit in V.J. Edgecombe, while Jeremy Roach comes over from Duke and Norchad Omier transfers from Miami. Roach and Omier were All-ACC selections last season. This is a new Baylor team from what we saw last year, but there’s no doubt the talent is there to be a legit tittle contender once things come together.
Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Preview
The Gonzaga Bulldogs won 27 games last season, reaching the regional semifinal, and enter year 26 under coach Mark Few. Gonzaga will play Arizona State and UMass Lowell after this contest.
Graham Ike returns after leading Gonzaga with 16.5 points and 7.4 rebounds, while Nolan Hickman averaged 14 points and 2.7 assists. Ryan Nembhard is a third double-digit returning scorer, and Braden Huff played in 13.3 minutes per game. With Anton Watson the only guy gone, Gonzaga brings back 4 of its top-5 scorers from a year ago. Gonzaga also added Colgate transfer Braeden Smith, who averaged 12 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5 assists in two seasons. Needless to say, there are no excuses for Gonzaga to finally get over the hump and cut down the nets.
Why the Baylor Bears will win
- Baylor has won each of its last 10 Monday night games against non-Conference opponents.
- Gonzaga has lost the first half in five of its last six night games against the Big 12 Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Baylor’s last four games against the West Coast Conference Conference have produced a total of 156 or fewer points.
- Eight of Gonzaga’s last 10 games against non-Conference opponents at neutral venues have produced a total of 155 or fewer points.
Matchup/League Facts
- Gonzaga ranked 2nd among Division 1 teams for offensive rating last season (122.8).
- Gonzaga ranked 2nd among Division 1 teams for defensive rating last season (100.4).
- Baylor ranked 10th among Division 1 teams for offensive rating last season (119.3).
- Baylor ranked 10th among Division 1 teams for defensive rating last season (105.5).
Baylor vs Gonzaga Prediction
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are provably he better tam on paper, and they’re going to get the benefit of the doubt at home. However, the Baylor Bears are capable of cutting down the nets this season, and you’re not going to get them in the underdog role often this season. I just see value in the points with a team as good as Baylor. Baylor is one of the better teams in the country. Give me the points.
The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.
