The No.3-seeded Utah Runnin’ Utes take on the No.11-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second round of the NCAA tournament at the Pepsi Center. Action starts at 8:40 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 19 and will air on TNT.
The Runnin’ Utes beat Fresno State 80-69 in the First Round. Brandon Taylor fueled the Runnin’ Utes with 16 points, six assists, and four steals. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are coming off a 68-52 win against Seton Hall in the First Round. Domantas Sabonis played well and claimed his 21st double-double of the season, recording 21 points and 16 rebounds.
This battle pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses, as Utah currently ranks 26th in the nation in offensive efficiency and Gonzaga is fourth in defensive efficiency. Also, the Bulldogs’s 10th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 117.2) will face off against the 25th-ranked defense of the Runnin’ Utes (defensive efficiency of 101.3).
The Runnin’ Utes come into this game 27-8 Straight Up (SU) and 18-15-1 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (7-2-1).
In the other locker room, the Bulldogs head into the game with records of 15-16-2 ATS and 27-7 SU. Most recently, Gonzaga is 8-2 ATS over the last 10 games. The Bulldogs convert their free throws at a high percentage, ranking 14th in the nation at .758. The Bulldogs have controlled the glass with an average of 39.9 rebounds per game, 31st in the country. The Gonzaga defense has been a problem for competitors, allowing a Division I-low .294 shooting from three-point range.
This game marks the first time Utah and Gonzaga have played one another in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – Utah, ATS Winner – Utah
Notes
“Utah is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games “.
“Utah is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 4 of Utah’s last 5 games “.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs rank 10th for their offensive rating of 117.2. The Utah Runnin’ Utes have a defensive rating of 101.3 (ranked 25th).
The Utah Runnin’ Utes have one of the best field goal percentages this season, ranking ninth in the nation with a FG% of 49.0%. When their opponents record a similar or higher FG%, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are winless with a 0-1 record.
The Utah Runnin’ Utes average 20.0 three point attempts per game, and the Gonzaga Bulldogs attempt 20.0 per game. When going for at least 20 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Utah is 18-2 and Gonzaga is 12-5.
Utah ranks 63rd in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.25, while Gonzaga ranks 93rd with an A/TO of 1.20.
Gonzaga, the 31st-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 39.9 rebounds per game. Utah does worse, ranked 105th with 37.4.
Gonzaga ranks 180th in offensive rebounds, while Utah ranks at 32nd in defensive rebounds.
On average, Utah forces a turnover rate of 15.5%. When Gonzaga turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a solid 14-6 record.
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