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Georgia State Panthers vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Picks, Predictions, Odds

Joe Hedrick Sports Betting Expert
5 minute read

The Georgia State Panthers (18-10) will take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-3) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Thursday’s tipoff is scheduled for 4:15 PM ET at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon and can be viewed on TNT.  

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Score Prediction

Gonzaga 84, Georgia State 60

Best Bet

Gonzaga -23.5 (-110)

NCAA Tournament Expert Picks | NIT Tournament Picks

MARCH MADNESS BETTING RESOURCES

GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS vs. GONZAGA BULLDOGS PREDICTIONS

Georgia State is the champions of the Sun Belt after winning three-straight in their conference tournament. Including the end of the regular season, the Panthers have won 10 games in a row, but will face their toughest opponent of the season in Gonzaga. During their 10-game winning streak Georgia State has allowed opponents just 53.8 PPG while averaging 68.8 PPG themselves. The Panthers have made the tournament five times in their school history and have a record of 2-5, most recently making the tournament in 2019 and losing to Houston 84-55.  

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are champions of the WCC after defeating San Francisco and Saint Mary’s in the WCC tournament. The Bulldogs have once again dominated all season and have won 19 of their last 20 games. This is the fourth time since 2017 that Gonzaga will enter the tournament as a number one seed. In the opening rounds of those four years, the Bulldogs won by scores of 98-55 (2021), 87-49 (2019), 68-64 (2018), and 66-46 (2017).  

Gonzaga should have no problems winning this game. Do not get me wrong, Georgia State has been playing great basketball, but they are undersized in this one. The Panthers have just one player over 6’8 which means Gonzaga’s big men, Drew Timmie and Chet Holmgren will have a mismatch every time down the floor. However, I do think Georgia States defense will cause Gonzaga some frustration in the first half, but Gonzaga will run away with this thing in the second.  

GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS vs. GONZAGA BULLDOGS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS vs. GONZAGA BULLDOGS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
  • Matchup: No. 16 vs. No. 1
  • Region: West
  • Venue: Moda Center
  • Location: Portland, Oregon
  • TV-Time: TNT - 4:15 p.m. ET

GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 18-10
  • ATS: 12-13-1
  • O/U: 8-18

Georgia State has not been profitable on the season with an ATS record of 12-13-1. This trend of not covering continues when they are not favored to win, with an ATS record of 1-5 in their last six games playing as an underdog. They have had much more success as of late, going 10-0 SU and 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games. The total has gone under in 18 of the Panther’s 26 games this season including 16 of their last 20. 

The Panthers offense is led by senior guard Corey Allen, who is Georgia State’s leading scorer and coming off a 29-point performance in the Sun Belt Championship game against Louisiana. As a team, Georgia State averages 70.6 PPG, 40.3 FG%, 32.9 3PT%, 13.5 APG, and 37.3 RPG. The Panthers will need to hit their outside shots in this one, as they really will have no one down low that can go up against Drew Timmie or Chet Holmgren who average a combine 4.6 BPG for the Bulldogs.  

As mentioned before, the defense for Georgia State has been excellent lately, giving up 53.8 PPG in their last 10. On the season, the Panthers allowed opponents 64.8 PPG, 41.3 FG%, 37.0 3PT%, while averaging 8.9 SPG and 4.5 BPG. The key for Georgia State in this one will be not allowing Gonzaga to run in transition. They are one of the best in the country at doing so, but have shown signs of weakness when defenses are able to slow them down a bit.  

GONZAGA BULLDOGS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 26-3
  • ATS: 15-13-1
  • O/U: 15-13-1

The Gonzaga Bulldogs have gone 15-13-1 ATS this season, but have gone just 2-4 ATS in their last six games. When Gonzaga scores more than Georgia State allows (64.8 PPG) the Bulldogs are 13-8-2 ATS. The total has gone under in 17 of Gonzaga’s 29 games this season, including seven of their last nine.  

The Bulldogs offense is led by their two big men Drew Timme and Chet Holmgren. Between the two, they average 31.7 PPG, 15.9 RPG, 4.5 APG, and 4.5 BPG. It is important to note that this is Chet Holmgren’s first NCAA tournament appearance, so there may be some nerves to start the game. As a team, Gonzaga averages 87.8 PPG, 52.7 FG%, 37.9 3PT%, 18.2 APG, and 41.4 RPG. The Bulldogs will look to run in transition and take advantage of the size mismatch when running their set offense.  

Gonzaga enters this matchup with a top-10 defense in the country. On the season, the Bulldogs have allowed opponents 65.3 PPG, 37.9 FG%, 30.7 3PT%, while averaging 6.7 SPG, and 5.9 BPG. The Bulldogs will look to eliminate any opportunities for the Panthers down low and force them shoot jump shots. Also expect Gonzaga to turn as many defensive stops into quick points in transition as they can.  

Gonzaga has won 67 straight games when facing a non-AP-ranked school. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS

  • Record: 18-10
  • PS/G: 70.6 (193rd)
  • PA/G: 64.8 (45th)

INSIDE THE STATS - GONZAGA BULLDOGS

  • Record: 26-3
  • PS/G: 87.8 (1st)
  • PA/G: 65.3 (63rd)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • GAST: Corey Allen - G (14.7 ppg)
  • GAST: Kane Williams - G (12.5 ppg, 4 rpg)
  • ZAGA: Drew Timme - F (17.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg)
  • ZAGA: Chet Holmgren - C (14.2 ppg, 9.6 rpg)

GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS vs. GONZAGA BULLDOGS BETTING CONCLUSION

I like Gonzaga to win plus cover this game. This is an experienced team with a coach who has been to the tournament 23 consecutive years. Not to mention, they lost in the championship last year, so to say this team has a goal in mind is an understatement. Georgia States defenses has been top notch lately, but Gonzaga is a different animal in the college basketball world and should dominate the Panthers throughout. Laying the points with the number one overall seed in this on.  

MARCH MADNESS PICK RESOURCES

GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS vs. GONZAGA BULLDOGS BETTING TRENDS

  • Gonzaga has won 20 of its last 26 NCAA Tournament games. 
  • Gonzaga has won 12 straight NCAA Tournament opening round games.
  • Georgia State has lost three straight NCAA Tournament games.
  • Georgia State has covered the spread in three of its last four games when playing on a neutral court. 
  • Georgia State has covered the spread in 10 of its last 13 games. 
  • Georgia State has won 10 straight games. 
  • Georgia State has gone UNDER the point total in 16 of its last 20 games.

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