Will the Bulldogs improve to 30-0?
This is the big question for the West Region finalists between No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 6 USC on Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:15 pm ET at Lucas Oil Stadium. The game will be broadcast on TBS.
Gonzaga (29-0) remains the favorite to win the NCAA men’s basketball tournament under veteran coach Mark Fu. This is the Bulldogs’ fourth elite eight appearance in the past seven years. Gonzaga scored 89.3 points in 2021 in three tournament games.
USC (25-7) and coach Andy Enfield continued their run in the Sweet 16 with a stunning 82-68 win over Oregon. The Trojans are the top seed of the three Pac-12 teams remaining in the tournament, and are seeking their first Final Four berth since 1954.
They have to go through the most recognized West Coast basketball power in the 21st century to get there. The Gonzaga factor only adds to the intrigue.
Here’s everything you need to know about betting on Gonzaga vs. USC in the 2021 NCAA Tournament, including updated odds, trends, and our prediction for the elite eight games.
More Points: Live Score | Update bracket | TV schedule
Gonzaga vs. USC Odds
- Spread: Gonzaga-9
- over under: Is 155.5
- money Line: Gonzaga-450, USC +350
Three betting trends to watch
– The Bulldogs have been favorites in every game and are 15-12-2 ATS this season. Gonzaga has covered four of his last five matches.
– Gonzaga is 8-4 ATS in non-conference games this season.
– USC is 19-13 ATS this season. The Trojans are 6-3 ATS in non-intrusive games and 2-3 ATS as underdogs.
Gonzaga Key Players
Gonzaga’s four core scorers dominated the NCAA tournament. SN first-team All-American Corey Kispert is averaging 19.2 points and second-team All-American guard Jalan Suggs is averaging 14.2 points. Second Team All-American Drew Taimi, ahead 6-10, averaged 20.7 points and 7.7 rebellions in the tournament. Guard Joel Ajayi averaged 11.9 points and 7.1 rebounds. The Bulldogs are full of offensive talent, and any of these players can play a game.
USC Key Players
USC’s offense revolves around 7-0 new center Evan Moleby, who averages 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Moby is a potential lottery pick in the 2022 NBA draft. Taz Edi adds 13.5 points per game, and Drew Peters, Isaiah Mobley and Isaiah White are valuable scorers. Anfield’s starting five have played at a high level with three consecutive wins in the tournament.
Best Individual Matchup: Timmy Vs Mobley
Who said the status of the center is dead? This is a matchup of two athletic post players that will go a long way in determining who reaches the final four. Both players have four games with at least 20 points and have 10 rebounds this season. Timam has become a more viral player in the tournament. How will his footwork be against Mobley, who averages 3.0 blocks per game in a game between USC’s zone defense? This is definitely the tournament’s best individual matchup at this point.
Gonzaga vs. USC State to Know
Gonzaga has a plus-25 rebounding margin in three tournament games. Mobley is a prominent position player, but cannot afford to get so beat on the Trojan Glass. USC has a plus-3 rebounding margin through three tournament games. That won’t be enough against the Bulldogs.
Learn . . Tehz Idi
Eaddy is making the most of his third opportunity in college sports. He began his career at Southeast Missouri State before transferring to Santa Clara, where he played for two seasons against Gonzaga. Eddie has been a clutch player for the Trojans in the tournament and hit a big 3-pointer to make a late squash in the Sweet 16 in the second half of the Oregon Rally. Eddie has failed to score in double figures at just double digits since February.
Gonzaga vs. USC
Gonzaga and USC have met just twice, and the Trojans won those meetings in 1991 and 1992. The Pac-12 is on the glory line, but the Bulldogs can shoot from above it. Gonzaga is hitting 45.3 percent of his 3-point attempts in the tournament, and Timmy’s emergence in the post is a lot. USC would have to play almost the right game to upset it. It will be a high scoring show, but the Bulldogs will retain their true record.
final score: Gonzaga 93, USC 82
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