The third-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs open their Battle 4 Atlantis tournament at the Imperial Arena in Nassau today against the West Virginia Mountaineers on ESPN.
The ‘Zags have been laying waste to their early slate, and are favored by 15.5 points, which isn't scaring our West Virginia vs. Gonzaga predictions.
With a less-heralded defense riding side-by-side with its usual strong offensive output, our college basketball picks have the Bulldogs taking care of businesses in the Caribbean in this 2:30 p.m. ET tip on Wednesday, November 27.
West Virginia vs Gonzaga prediction
My best bet
Gonzaga -15.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have yet to lose through five games, clubbing Long Beach State 84-41 in their best defensive effort of the young season last time out.
The Bulldogs held the Beach to just 31.5% shooting from the floor, including a dismal 2-for-20 from 3-point range.
Gonzaga ranks 18th in KenPom’s defensive efficiency metric and is inside the Top 30 in the nation, allowing 61 points per game.
That is a big help to a lineup that ranks seventh in the NCAA in scoring at 93.2 points per game, scoring at least 80 in every game this season.
The West Virginia Mountaineers are 3-1 early in the season, but their one loss hangs heavy, as they were crushed 86-62 by the Pittsburgh Panthers on November 15.
They shot just 38.7% from the field, including a rough 6-for-29 mark from distance, but it was the defense that was punctured heavily, as they allowed Pitt to shoot 48.3% from the field, including 10-for-27 from 3-point range, while losing the rebound battle 45-32.
That’s about the only competition they’ve faced, with the rest of the teams outside KenPom’s Top 175. Pitt, though, is 14th, and WVU is facing an even higher level-up today.
For what it’s worth, the Mountaineers do rank 20th in field-goal defense, limiting teams to 36.3% shooting overall. But we’ll see how they put up points on the other end, as they average 77.5 points per game (170th).
Gonzaga limits teams to 38.3% shooting from the field, and just 22.5% from downtown, which ranks fourth in the NCAA.
The Bulldogs arguably boast the deepest team in college hoops with eight players pulling at least 16 minutes per game, five averaging double digits in scoring, and four hitting the moneyball at a 43.5% clip or better.
They have covered three times as double-digit favorites in four attempts this season.
West Virginia vs Gonzaga same-game parlay
Gonzaga -15.5
Ryan Nembhard Over 7.5 assists
Khalif Battle Under 4.5 rebounds
Gonzaga senior guard Ryan Nembhard is currently Top 10 in the nation in assists, checking in dishing 9.4 dimes per contest. He had gone for at least 10 assists in three of his last four before picking up a season-low seven assists in the blowout over Long Beach.
The only games he’s gone sub-10 assists in a game this season have been when he’s played less than 30 minutes.
Assuming WVU puts up more resistance than Massachusetts-Lowell and Long Beach State, he should cruise past the 30-minute mark and this 7.5 assist line.
Despite being a Top-30 unit in rebounding, the Bulldogs don’t have a single player averaging even seven rebounds per game.
Part of that committee is guard Khalif Battle, one of seven players pulling down between 3.4 and 6.2 boards.
He’s got a line of 4.5, a number he’s failed to top in each of his last three games. As the second-leading scorer on the team, look for him to be seeking out buckets more than boards in this one.
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West Virginia vs Gonzaga odds
West Virginia vs Gonzaga live odds
West Virginia vs Gonzaga opening odds
- Spread: West Virginia +15.5 (-110) | Gonzaga -15.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: West Virginia +950 | Gonzaga -1,700
- Over/Under: Over 154.5 (-110) | Under 154.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
West Virginia vs Gonzaga betting trend to know
The Mountaineers have only covered the spread 12 times in their last 31 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for West Virginia vs. Gonzaga.
How to watch West Virginia vs Gonzaga
| Location: | Imperial Arena, Nassau, Bahamas |
| Date: | Wednesday, 11-27-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 2:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
West Virginia vs Gonzaga key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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