No. 3 Gonzaga vs. No. 14 Kennesaw State College Basketball prediction, preview (10:00pm ET on Thursday in Portland, OR)
I don’t have the highest hopes for the outlook of Gonzaga making a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this season, but that doesn’t mean the Zags aren’t equipped to exploit Kennesaw State in the opening round. The Owls went just 14-17 ATS this season, but did cover their only game as a double digit underdog, catching 20.5 in an 11-point loss to Alabama.
Kennesaw ranks 143rd in offensive efficiency, but was able to score some points against an Alabama defense that provides little resistance. That won’t be the case against Gonzaga, which ranks top-10 nationally in defensive efficiency, and has been consistent all season. The Bulldogs have slipped a bit offensively as the season has gone on, but still finished top-30 in offensive efficiency.
The Owls are just 194th in defensive efficiency, and will have their hands full in this matchup. The pace of play will be interesting in this one, with Kennesaw ranking 19th in adjusted tempo. If the Owls are going to push the pace in the game, and fall behind as expect, things might only speed up. More possessions in the game would likely help the Zags break this one open.
Gonzaga is no stranger to laying double digits, and went 15-11 ATS this season when doing so. This game opened up with the Zags laying 18.5 and was quickly bet up and has shown no resistance since. Laying the points on a blowout by the Bulldogs would be the only way I could bet this one.
