The Oklahoma Sooners will be taking on the juggernaut Bulldogs from Gonzaga on CBS. The Sooners are coming off of an impressive first-round win against Mizzou and will look to take their much-needed momentum into this heavyweight bout. College basketball has had two weight classes this season, Gonzaga and the rest of the field. Gonzaga is having a historic season behind their two Player of the Year candidates. Oklahoma has been an exciting team to watch all year. They now have their biggest test of 2021 ahead of them on Monday. It’s time to continue the NCAA odds series and make an Oklahoma-Gonzaga prediction and pick.
Here is how the sportsbooks set the odds for this game.
NCAA Odds: Oklahoma-Gonzaga Odds & Prediction
Oklahoma Sooners +14 (-105)
Gonzaga Bulldogs -14 (-115)
Over 154 (-115)
Under 154 (-105)
Why Oklahoma Could Cover the Spread
Oklahoma's first-round win against the Missouri Tigers was more impressive than the scoreboard suggests. The Sooners pulled off the victory without their star player De'Vion Harmon. Harmon tested positive for COVID and is likely to be out of action again. In his absence, Austin Reaves (17.7 ppg) and Brady Manek picked up the slack, combining for 35 points on 50% shooting. Elijah Harkless was especially impressive as Harmon's replacement, going for a double-double in the win.
Oklahoma shot 46.7% from beyond the arc in the round of 64 and will look to continue its efficient shooting against the Bulldogs on Monday. The Sooners do have a path to a cover. Oklahoma has averaged just 11.1 turnovers per game this season. If they can win the turnover battle and capitalize on the few mistakes Gonzaga may make, the Sooners can stick around long enough to potentially pull out the cover in this matchup. The role players struggled in Saturday's win and will have to improve in order to put the first blemish on Gonzaga's 2021 record.
Why Gonzaga Could Cover the Spread
The Gonzaga Bulldogs sport the nation's most efficient offensive unit. Mark Few's group shot 36.7% from beyond the arc collectively and possesses two Player of the Year candidates on the roster. Corey Kispert (19.5 ppg) and forward Drew Timme are two of the best players in the country. The Bulldogs have the deepest roster in college basketball and have the most talent at the top. Point guard Jalen Suggs is a nightmare in transition and brings a spark to this offense that's hard to match. The supporting cast is led by guard Joel Ayayi (11.3 ppg), who shoots 36.9% from beyond the arc and will light it up at will.
The Bulldogs are able to defeat their opponents before tip-off. Gonzaga feeds on fear and allows the other team to make all of the mistakes. Their 11th-ranked defense in the nation creates turnovers and always capitalizes, which also makes it easy to side with them when making an Oklahoma-Gonzaga prediction. The Bulldogs are a terror in transition, leading the nation in percentage of shots in transition. The formula is clear and consistent, shoot at a high percentage, capitalize on mistakes, and bury teams early and often. Gonzaga has another opportunity to steamroll the field en route to a perfect season and a national championship.
Final Oklahoma-Gonzaga Prediction & Pick
I'm going with my pick to win the 2021 national championship. The Gonzaga Bulldogs have been on another level all season long and have no sign of letting up anytime soon. Even with such a large spread in this matchup, I don't see any way that Oklahoma can stick around. Gonzaga is too good and too efficient from the field. They force opponents to play faster than they're capable of playing and capitalize on all of the mistakes. They will win in transition and in the half-court. They will suck the life out of the Sooners before they even step onto the court.
With all that said, here's my Oklahoma-Gonzaga prediction:
FINAL PICK: Gonzaga -14 (-115)
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