The No. 5 Gonzaga Bulldogs (4-2) are in Portland to take on the Xavier Musketeers (4-2) Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Gonzaga vs. Xavier odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
After an ugly 93-74 loss to Texas, Gonzaga bounced back with a top-5 win, 88-72, over Kentucky. In the first game of this tournament, the Bulldogs ran over Portland State, 102-78, before falling flat once again against Purdue in an 84-66 as 6.5-point favorites. The Bulldogs have been a true Jekyll & Hyde team this season, and if they want to be true contenders with Drew Timme, they will need to become more consistent as they enter league play.
Xavier and returning son coach Sean Miller have been putting points on the board, but a 71-64 loss to Duke leaves them alongside Gonzaga in a game neither wanted to be in.
This will be an entertaining and high-scoring game. Both teams can put up points, and Sunday should be no different for either the Musketeers or the Bulldogs.
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Gonzaga vs. Xavier odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:45 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Gonzaga -340 (bet $340 to win $100) | Xavier +240 (bet $100 to win $240)
- Against the spread (ATS): Gonzaga -7.5 (-110) | Xavier +7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 159.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Gonzaga vs. Xavier picks and predictions
Prediction
Gonzaga 92, Xavier 77
Moneyline
PASS.
The Bulldogs will be ready to go in this game. As -340 favorites, the wager is not worth the price. But if you are entertaining a parlay, it is a nice piece to add.
Against the spread
BET GONZAGA -7.5 (-110).
Gonzaga has been up and down in its game over the past 2 weeks. With a 19-point loss to Texas and an 84-66 loss to Purdue, it is clear Gonzaga is beatable. But in their wins, the Bulldogs pull away and amass points at the highest level. That is what I expect in this game. As any number in the single digits, I love this line today. At 7.5, it is great.
GONZAGA -7.5 (-110) is my play in this game.
Over/Under
BET OVER 159.5 (-110).
This is a massive number. But it is one both teams can hit.
Gonzaga has averaged 83 points per game this season, and Xavier has gone Over its posted total in 5 of its first 6 games this season. Another high-scoring Over will hit. This would have been a great championship game. Getting it here in the consolation game will be just as fun. Especially when the Over hits.
Take OVER 159.5 (-110) as my FAVORITE PLAY.
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