Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Free Pick - Betting Odds
Date:
April 3, 9:20 pm
Location:
University of Phoenix Stadium
TV:
CBS
Betting Odds
Point Spread:
North Carolina -1.5
Total:
153.5
<p>
The top seed from the West Region Gonzaga Bulldogs face the top seed from the South Region North Carolina Tar Heels in the NCAA Tournament Championship Game that will take place at a neutral site at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on Monday, April 3 at 6:20 PM ET. The NCAA betting board lists Gonzaga as a -1.5 point favorite over UNC with the total line being offered at 153.5 to 154.5 points depending on the sportsbook.
</p>
<p>
Gonzaga is coming off a 77-73 win over South Carolina in the Final 4 where they failed to cover the spread as a 6.5-point favorite. The total number of points scored in the game was 150, which was over the closing line of 138. The Bulldogs have an ATS record of 1-3-1 in their five NCAA Tournament games and previous to the South Carolina game the total had gone under in two in a row. Gonzaga has won their last eight games.
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<p>
North Carolina is coming off a 77-76 win over Oregon in the Final 4 where they failed to cover the spread as a 4-point favorite. The total number of points scored in the game was 153, which was over the closing line of 152.5. The Tar Heels have an ATS record of 2-2-1 in their five NCAA Tournament games and in two of their last three games the total has gone over. North Carolina has won seven of their last eight games.
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<p>
Offensively, Gonzaga is putting up 83.2 points per game, which ranks 14th in the nation, on a 50.9% FG average, which ranks 2nd in the nation. On the defensive side of the ball the Bulldogs are allowing 60.9 points per game, which ranks 5th in the nation, on a 36.4% FG average, which ranks 1st in the nation.
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<p>
North Carolina is putting up 85 points per game, which ranks 9th in the nation, on a 46.9% FG average. On defense the Tar Heels are allowing 70.6 points per game on a 41.7% FG average.
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<p>
These teams last met in the 2009 NCAA Tournament where North Carolina beat Gonzaga 98-77 in the Sweet 16.
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<h2>
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Trends<br />
</h2>
<ul>
<li>
Gonzaga is 1-3-1 against the spread in their last 5 games.
</li>
<li>
The game total has gone under in 7 of Gonzaga’s last 10 games.
</li>
<li>
North Carolina is 2-3-1 against the spread in their last 6 games.
</li>
<li>
The Tar Heels are 5-0 in their last 5 games overall.
</li>
</ul>
<h2>
Public Money Consensus<br />
</h2>
<p>
In this Championship college basketball game between North Carolina and Gonzaga have the public leaning to the Bulldogs plus the 1.5 points with 61%. The over/under bettors are leaning to this game going over the posted total line of 153.5 with 59% on board.
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North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Prediction
Sure the Zags had the easier schedule, but this is a team that lost just one game on the campaign and that was a meaningless game to close out the regular season. Their non-conference schedule had some top level teams with Gonzaga getting the “W” against Florida, Iowa State and Arizona. In neutral site games their defense has been outstanding allowing opponents 62.5 points on a 36.9 FG%. In the tournament they’ve improved on those allowing 61.8 points on 34.6 FG%! UNC has stepped up their play, but were all out in their last two to advance winning by a combined three points. The Tar Heels have averaged 7.15 threes per game this season but will face a defense that has allowed a ridiculously low 26.2 from behind the arc to their opponents in this tourney. The Zags will have to play all 40 minutes to get the money and that’s a risk that I’m willing to take.
Free Pick:
Take the Gonzaga Bulldogs -1.5
