Gonzaga vs UCLA -7 O/U 155
Ok I know. It feels very very public to be betting on the biggest non-conference game of the year, and I definitely understand that, but I really do not understand this line whatsoever. Maybe it takes some intestinal fortitude to play this game, but I have to look at what these teams returned, what these teams are so far today, and what their motivation might be in this massive spot. UCLA was the number 2 team coming into the season behind Gonzaga, but is the difference between these teams this big to warrant a 7 point spread on a neutral? Most of the same players for the Bruins that pushed the Zags into overtime last year in the final 4 return from last year.
Key Departed Players:
Chris Smith, Guard, 12.6 ppg
Jalen Hill, Forward/Center, 6.5 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Johnny Juzang, Junior, Guard, 16.0 ppg
Jaime Jaquez Jr, Junior, Guard/Forward, 12.3 ppg
Tyger Campbell, Junior, Guard, 10.4 ppg
Jules Bernard, Senior, Guard, 10.3 ppg
Cody Riley, Senior, Forward, 10.0 ppg
Key New Players:
Myles Johnson, Senior, Center, Transfer from Rutgers
As for the Zags, they return some key guys but they also lost a ton of production seen here below:
Key Departed Players:
Corey Kispert, Forward, 18.6 ppg
Jalen Suggs, Guard, 14.4 ppg
Joel Ayayi, Guard, 12.0 ppg
Aaron Cook, Guard, 4.2 ppg
Oumar Ballo, Center, 2.5 ppg
Key Returning Players:
Drew Timme, Junior, Forward, 19.0 ppg
Andrew Nembhard, Senior, Guard, 9.2 ppg
Anton Watson, Junior, Forward, 6.9 ppg
Julian Strawther, Sophomore, Forward, 3.4 ppg
Key New Players:
Rasir Bolton, Senior, Guard, Transfer from Iowa State
Joe Few, Freshman, Guard
Nolan Hickman, Freshman, Guard
Chet Holmgren, Freshman, Center
Now I know that Mark Few is the best coach in basketball that never won an NCAA tournament, but this is a big revenge spot here for the Bruins and this game is being played in Las Vegas at T-Mobile arena which almost could be stated as their back yard. The Zags are destroying teams so far but their competition has seriously been lack-luster this far and I am also not buying their 12 point win vs number 14 in Kenpom Texas team as a great performance. I think that the Longhorns are a big overrated team coming into this season, therefore, I do not see that as a huge win. The Bruins win vs Villanova is more legit being that Nova took out number 11 on Kenpom Tennessee and pushed number 4 Purdue to the final minute of their game. I think that this should be more of a 4 point spread here, and I will take the Bruins in a big spot to show everyone that they are a very legit contender and the team to beat going forward.
UCLA +7 – 2.5 stars and sprinkle
