The No. 4 Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-4) take on the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (25-8) in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament at Taco Bell Arena. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7:45 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 17, 2018.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs ATS Prediction
In the First Round, the Buckeyes topped the No. 12 South Dakota State Jackrabbits, 81-73. The Buckeyes held the Jackrabbits to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below their season average of 25.0) and had a turnover percentage of 10.1 (better than their season average of 15.3). Ohio State received a boost from Keita Bates-Diop, who led the team in scoring with 24 points on 7-for-19 shooting.
The Bulldogs defeated the No. 13 UNCG Spartans in the First Round, 68-64. The Bulldogs had a much better free throw rate (0.220 vs. 0.075) and had a turnover percentage of 12.5 (better than their season average of 13.9). Johnathan Williams was the top scorer from either team with 19 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
The game should be a showdown of strength against strength as the high-powered offense of Gonzaga (fourth in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 120.2) takes on the elite defense of Ohio State (42nd in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 98.7).
Johnathan Williams and Zach Norvell Jr. have played well over the last five games for Gonzaga. Williams has averaged 13.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Norvell Jr. has put up 14.0 points a game during that span.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Ohio State, ATS Winner – Ohio State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Gonzaga ranks 75th in three pointers attempted per game (24.3) while Ohio State ranks 232nd (19.8).
The Bulldogs rank 14th in rebounds per game (39.8) while the Buckeyes rank 90th (36.9).
Gonzaga is 22nd in the nation with 10.9 assists allowed per game while Ohio State is 57th with 11.8 assists allowed per game.
The Bulldogs are 25th in the NCAA with 5.0 steals allowed per game while the Buckeyes are 31st with 5.1 steals allowed per game.
Gonzaga is 33rd in the NCAA with 2.6 blocks allowed per game while Ohio State is 38th with 2.6 blocks allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Buckeyes’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.8, down from 9.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 78.4 points per game (5.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 62.4 points per game (4.6 below their season average).
xxxxx
