Gonzaga vs. Texas (11/16 @ 9:30 PM EST.)
Spread: Texas -1.5
Total: Over 144
Overview and Betting Info
Though it is early in the season, this is shaping up to be a must-see game among 2-0 teams. Gonzaga is ranked 2nd, and Texas is ranked 11th. Gonzaga’s victories were over University of North Florida and Michigan State. Texas recorded its wins over University of Texas-El Paso and Houston Christian University.
Gonzaga
6’10” forward Drew Timme leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists. Timme is a Texas native who earned CBS Sports Preseason Player of the Year honors.
He averages 22 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game through the first two games.
His teammate, guard Julian Strawther is also averaging double digit points per game with 14.5.
Gonzaga played inspired basketball after being down double digits on November 11 against Michigan State. They rallied and won the game by the score of 64-63.
Texas
Whereas Timme is the dominant player for Gonzaga, Texas spreads the ball around. 6 players scored double digits in their game against Houston Christian on November 10. It was an 82-31 one-sided show that demonstrated how deep this roster is. Freshman Dillon Mitchell, a 6’8” forward from Florida, came off the bench and scored 10 points and 12 rebounds in 18 minutes of play. His field goal percentage is 100%, also known as perfect, through two games. Mitchell leads the team in rebounds, averaging 8 per game.
Guard Tyrese Hunter leads the team in points scored, averaging 14 per game. Guard Marcus Carr leads the team with 4 assists per game.
Free Pick: Over 144
For both teams, the previous two games were warmups for the season ahead. In those two outings, Gonzaga and Texas have similar statistics in key areas like field goal percentage, 53.7% for Gonzaga and 52.7% for Texas, rebounds 40.5 for Gonzaga and 41.5 for Texas, and assists 15.0 for Gonzaga and 14.5 for Texas.
Shutting down Timme is the key to success for Texas whereas Gonzaga must account for a starting five and a sixth man who can quickly and easily change the outcome of the game with the ball in their hands.
The spread Texas -1.5 shows just how difficult it is to predict the winner of this game. That is the difference between a foul shot or two falling in or out of the hoop for either team. As a result, choosing the Over 144 is the recommended option because both teams have offensive players capable of wracking up points.
