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#8 Gonzaga vs #18 UConn: NCAA Basketball Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (12/14)
Written by: Nate Hornung
Last Updated:
Read Time: 5 minutes
ncaab
Gonzaga Bulldogs Odds
Spread
Total
Moneyline
-2.0
-110
151
-110o
-130
UConn Huskies Odds
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+4.0
-117
153
-108u
+148
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See Picks & Statistics For The GameThe Gonzaga Bulldogs travel to New York City to take on the two time defending champions, the UConn Huskies at Madison Square Garden. Both of these teams have had their early season struggles and look to turn things around in this Top 20 showdown.
Since losing all three games of the Maui Invitational, the Huskies have strung together three straight wins. They beat down UMES by 50 in a tune up game, before handling #15 Baylor at home and then beating Texas in the Moody Center. The Huskies start Big East play on Wednesday against Xavier, but coming off two big wins, I have faith in UConn to keep things rolling in their home away from home at MSG.
As for the Zags, they had a meltdown on Saturday in Seattle against Kentucky, losing in overtime by one. This will be their 5th straight neutral site game, where they’ve posted a 2-2 record in their L4, losing both times in overtime. Gonzaga has had 5 different leading scorers this season, and their offense is undeniable. But will they come to play against the Huskies in this historic arena?
#8 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs UConn Huskies: Hall of Fame Series
Matchup Information – Gonzaga vs UConn
- Venue & Location: Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)
- Date: Saturday, December 14th, 2024
- Tip Off: 8:00pm Eastern
- Broadcast: FOX
Betting Odds
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Spread
- Gonzaga -3.5 (-115)
- UConn +3.5 (-105)
Money Line
- Not Listed at time of writing
Total
- Over 151 (-110)
- Under 151 (-110)
Will Huskies Dominate in MSG?
UConn is known for playing very well in MSG, but the Zags are no slouch.
They are in the Top 100 in pace, ranking Top 10 in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency and TO Rate, and stay far away from the three ball. Away from home, they are north of 300 in 3P Rate and 287th in 3P percentage. But they stick to their strengths: Getting to the free throw line, and getting easy looks at the hoop.
The Bulldogs shoot 86% from the FT Line and are Top 100 in FT Rate, plus they shoot over 57% from inside the arc this season, putting them in the Top 50 in the country. The Huskies are a much slower team, are just as good offensively, but in a much different style.
For starters, UConn is a Top 10 offense that is Top 40 in 3P Rate, shooting over 36.5% from beyond the arc. Gonzaga defends the perimeter very well, ranking 2nd in the nation holding opponents to 25%. Ironically, the Huskies shoot even better away from Storrs, but we will see if this comes into play. UConn can’t keep their hands to themselves, and I see Gonzaga taking full advantage, spending plenty of time at the free throw line.
#8 Gonzaga Bulldogs vs #18 UConn Huskies Best Bets
Gonzaga vs UConn Prediction: Gonzaga Wins & Covers, Over 151.5
Best Bets: Gonzaga/UConn Over 151 (-110) BetOnline
Although UConn likes to play slow, they do speed up with their opponent. And offensively, they can keep up. They lost to Memphis 99-97 in OT, a team that is Top 75 in pace. Gonzaga will try to run and speed up a Huskies team that doesn’t like to get out of their own rhythm. I see this being a back and forth style game, with tons of possessions for both offenses.
Ultimately, I do lean with Gonzaga, but think I will just stick with the over in this matchup. Other than Memphis, UConn has not played another team in the Top 150 in possessions per game in the country. Speeding this game up will only give the Huskies more opportunity to put the ball in the hoop, and I see them being forced to play fast as they try to catch up to this high flying Gonzaga offense.
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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