The No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs (32-3) will be 7.5-point favorites in the Sweet Sixteen at Honda Center when they square off with the No. 4 Florida State Seminoles (29-7). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 147 points and it gets underway at 7:09 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 28, 2019.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Odds
In the Second Round, the Seminoles comfortably covered the 4-point spread against the No. 12 Murray State Racers, 90-62. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, topped the No. 9 Baylor Bears,83-71, but were not able to cover as 14-point favorites. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Florida State game finished 5.5 points over the projected point total of 146.5, while the Gonzaga game went 7 points over the projected point total of 147.
Florida State played a nearly perfect game. They had a solid effective field goal percentage of 0.585 (above their season average of 0.505) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 42.9 (above their season average of 33.0). Murray State recorded marks of 0.385 and 30.2, respectively, for those same stats. The Bulldogs, on the other hand, had a fantastic offensive rebounding percentage of 46.4 (above their season average of 31.0) and held the Bears to an effective field goal percentage of 0.450 (below their season average of 0.514). Brandon Clarke was a key piece for Gonzaga with 36 points, eight rebounds and five blocks. Meanwhile, Mfiondu Kabengele had a good game for Florida State, recording 22 points and seven rebounds.
A little over half of the Seminoles’ games have finished under the projected point total. Florida State heads into the game with records of 29-7 straight up (SU) and 17-19 against the spread (ATS).
Bulldogs games also have finished under the projected point total 51.4 percent of the time. Further, Gonzaga is 32-3 SU and 22-13 ATS.
This showdown pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Gonzaga ranks first in offensive efficiency and Florida State ranks 42nd in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Seminoles are among the country’s elite at getting to the line, ranking 55th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.271). The Bulldogs, however, rank 22nd at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.180.
Florida State Seminoles vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Gonzaga, ATS Winner – Gonzaga, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Gonzaga ranks fourth in assists per game (18.1) while Florida State ranks 180th (12.9).
- The Bulldogs rank 44th in steals per game (7.5) while the Seminoles rank 73rd (7.1).
- The Bulldogs rank fourth in blocks allowed per game (2.0) while the Seminoles rank 88th (3.0).
- Gonzaga ranks 27th in rebounds per game (38.9) while Florida State ranks 61st (37.6).
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Florida State and Gonzaga are both 3-2 ATS.
- The Seminoles have 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games, while the Bulldogs have 3 unders and 2 overs
- The Seminoles’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.4, down from 8.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 77.2 points per game (11.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 61.8 points per game (3.0 below their season average).
