Grand Canyon vs. Gonzaga Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
The Bulldogs have won nine straight on their way to a 10th straight West Coast Conference title win that has earned them the No. 3 seed in the West. Pegged as the No. 14 seed, the Antelopes return to the Big Dance for the second time in three years riding a six-game win streak, capped by a dominating 84-66 win over Southern Utah in the Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament final.
The David vs Goliath nature of this contest is highlighted in the March Madness odds, where the Zags are perched as strong 15.5-point favourites. The Lopes trail as distant +1100 moneyline underdogs in their bid for their first ever March Madness win, and the total is pegged at a lofty 156.
Grand Canyon vs. Gonzaga NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Friday night’s matchup at Ball Arena in Denver marks the first ever meeting between these two teams. The Bulldogs have emerged as perennial contenders at March Madness over the past two decades. Gonzaga has claimed victory in 15 straight First Round appearances, with six of their past seven wins coming by double-digit margins, and has advanced at least as far as the Sweet Sixteen in each of their past nine appearances.
The Antelopes made a speedy exit in their March madness debut two years ago, dropping an 86-74 decision to Iowa but covering as 13.5-point underdogs. The Lopes have also been a reliable bet down the stretch. Covering the spread five times during their current 6-0 run.
Grand Canyon Antelopes (14)
The Antelopes have enjoyed an offensive resurgence during their current six-game win streak, averaging 80.3 points per game to climb to No. 53 in adjusted offensive efficiency at KenPom. The squad has been particularly dominant in recent dates away from home court at GCU Arena, winning six straight including an impressive 78-75 comeback victory over top-seeded Sam Houston in the WAC Tournament semifinal.
While the Antelopes sport a youthful lineup, with no seniors among the starters in their WAC Tournament-clinching win over Southern Utah, they ooze talent. Sophomore Rayshon Harrison leads an attack that features four players with double-digit point averages. Harrison is coming off a 31-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist performance against the Thunderbirds, and has averaged 22.3 points and 5.8 boards over his past six games.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (3)
The Zags return to the Big Dance once again seeking to attend to unfinished business. Despite becoming a March Madness fixture over the past two decades, and reaching the national championship game twice in their past five tournament appearances, glory has eluded Gonzaga. Not surprisingly, the Zags once again open their schedule among the favourites on the March Madness futures, but can ill afford to look past a talented GCU squad.
The top scoring team in the nation this season with 87.5 points per game, the Bulldogs sport impressive firepower. And they have racked up 92.3 points per game during their current 9-0 tear. Once again, Drew Timme will be expected to take a big leadership role on both sides of the ball. The senior big man led the Zags this season with 20.9 points and 7.3 boards per game, and averaged 27.3 points per game during Gonzaga’s march to the Sweet Sixteen a year ago. Look for Gonzaga to extend their First Round win streak, but also for the ‘Lopes to make the Zags work for the victory.
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