West Virginia vs. Gonzaga Betting Lines
One of the games that a lot of people are predicting an up upset in is this #7 Gonzaga vs. #10 West Virginia game. The Bulldogs and Mountaineers are in the strong East region and have a tough road ahead of them.
This 2nd round matchup is going to be played in Pittsburgh on Thursday, March 15, 2012 at 7:20pm ET. The West Virginia vs. Gonzaga betting lines below are based on the time this article is being written (Thursday, 2:40am ET). For the latest odds, check out the sports betting lines homepage.
W. Virginia Mountaineers vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Lines
This West Virginia vs. Gonzaga matchup should be one of the closest games in the 2nd round, one that could go down to the buzzer. The bookies agree, as the Zags vs. WVU betting lines are basically a coin flip at BetOnline. If you’d like to bet on this game, BetOnline welcomes US bettors and accepts credit card deposits.
• Point Spread: West Virginia +1 (-105) vs. Gonzaga -1 (-115)
• Money Line: West Virginia +105 vs. Gonzaga -125
• Total: Over 133.5 (-110) / Under 133.5 (-110)
Bet on Gonzaga vs. W. Virginia at BetOnline.com
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. W. Virginia Mountaineers Prediction
West Virginia (19-13) is a popular upset pick in many brackets this year against Gonzaga (25-6). I can see WVU winning this game, but my money won’t be on the Mountaineers betting lines. I’m taking the Bulldogs at -1 (-115) so I can get a push if they take it by one. You could pay an extra $.05 juice on every $1 to bet the Bulldogs moneyline, but it isn’t worth it.
The way the Mountaineers can win this game is by their two big seniors having a huge game. Kevin Jones is one of the best players in college basketball this season, averaging a double-double per game (20.1 PPG & 11.1 RPG). Darryl Bryant pitches in with 17.2 PPG, and if either senior has an off-day against the Zags the Mountaineers have no chance.
Gonzaga played a pretty weak schedule (79 SOS rank) this season, but they did beat St Mary’s Gaels. WVU had the 18th toughest schedule in the country this year, so the team isn’t going to back down from the Zags. The only question you have to answer is whether or not you think the two big men on the Mountaineers can control the game.
West Virginia needs their two big seniors to show up or else the Zags will walk away with an easy win. Gonzaga doesn’t have one player that takes over a game like Kevin Jones, but they have a deeper team. Four players average in double figures on the Zags, and several players can shoot from beyond the arc. This could be the difference for Gonzaga.
I’m betting on the Gonzaga Bulldogs point spread at -1 (-115) at BetOnline.
The West Virginia vs. Gonzaga over/under of 133 is sharp, and I don’t see much value. The game total should go over if Jones/Bryant play well, or under if the two seniors struggle. I can’t see the future, so I’ll stay away from the over/under this time.
