The Gonzaga Bulldogs and Texas Tech Red Raiders will meet up in the West Region with a spot in the Final Four on the line. Gonzaga was an early season pick to reach the Final Four, while Texas Tech has been proving people wrong all season. The Bulldogs are one of the best scoring teams in the country, while Texas Tech has been shutting people down with their defense all season long.
Gonzaga is the top seed in the West Region, and they were able to move past Florida State to reach the Elite 8. The Bulldogs haven’t been blowing teams out in the NCAA Tournament, but they haven’t really been challenged either. Texas Tech was given the 3-seed in the West, and upset 2-seed Michigan in the Sweet 16. The Red Raiders have cruised into the Elite Eight, blowing out three straight teams. Gonzaga is a four-point favorite in this game.
Bulldogs Shooting Their Way to Wins
Gonzaga is averaging 88 points per game this season, and they have the ability to beat teams from the three-point line. The Bulldogs dish out more than 18 points per game, and their ability to share the ball leads to wide open shots from deep. Gonzaga is shooting better than 37 percent from the three-point line this season, and have knocked down 257 three-pointers this season. Texas Tech will have to find a way to contest them at the arc.
The Bulldogs can also score in the paint, especially forwards Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke. Hachimura was the West Coast Conference Player of the Year this season and leads the team with 19 points per game. Clarke poured in 36 points in Gonzaga’s win over Baylor in this tournament and is also grabbing eight points per game.
Texas Tech Will Have To Score
There will be plenty of talk about the Texas Tech defense leading up to this game, but the Red Raiders will have to score at some point. Guard Jarrett Culver will likely lead the way on offense, but he has been getting plenty of help of late. Culver leads the team with 19 points and 3.7 assists per game and is an NBA talent. Davide Moretti and Matt Mooney are both elite shooters and have combined for more than 22 points per game.
The Red Raiders have been stifling teams with their defense all season long, but have been even better in this tournament. Texas Tech hasn’t given up more than 58 points in any of their three wins and held Michigan to just 44 in the Sweet 16 win. The Red Raiders will stay in this game with their defense, but they will have to score as well.
Gonzaga Moves On To Final Four
Texas Tech has been on a remarkable run all season long, but it’s time for their journey to end in this game. This is the most talented team that Gonzaga has ever had, and this is a team that is made for the Final Four. Head coach Mark Few and his team will solve the Texas Tech defense, and the Bulldogs will march on to the Final Four. Bet the Gonzaga Bulldogs -4.0 over the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
