Memphis Tigers vs Gonzaga Bulldogs Prediction, Pick and Preview, March 19 (3/19): NCAAB

Credit: photo by Joe Rondone/The Commercial Appeal-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

2021-2022 season stats

Preview

The #4 seeded Memphis Tigers play the #1 seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs in the second round of the NCAA Tournament’s West Region at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

MEMPHIS TIGERS

The Tigers get here after beating Boise State 64-53 in the 1st round. DeAndre Williams had 14 points. Memphis had a big advantage on the boards (39-30) to overcome 15 turnovers and pull away down the stretch. But it will take a better performance on the offense end if the Tigers want to beat Gonzaga.

J. Duren leads the team with 12.1 points per game and 8.2 rebounds. A. Lomax is the leader in assists with 4 per game for the Tigers.

The team is scoring an average of 75.06 points, ranking them 69th in the country and are allowing an average of 67.91 points (140th). Memphis has struggled with turnovers, ranked No. 352 in turnover rate. It is facing a Gonzaga defense that leads the country in field goal percentage. 

GONZAGA BULLDOGS

#1 Gonzaga get here after beating Gerogia St. Gonzaga spent 30 minutes struggling to create any separation against the 16th-seeded Panthers before pulling away late for a 93-72 win on Thursday. Drew Timme scored 22 of his 32 points in the second half.

Drew Timme leads Gonzaga with 18.0 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Star freshman center Chet Holmgren is scoring 14.4 points and is grabbing 9.8 boards. Guards Julian Strawther, Andrew Nembhard and Rasir Bolton are all scoring in double figures as well.

As a team, Gonzaga is averaging 88.00 PPG the number 1 in the nation, on 52.6% shooting from the field (#1), 37.58% from three and 72.06% from the free throw line while allowing 65.5 PPG on 37.77% shooting from the field  (#2) and 30.9% from three this season.

The Bulldogs have a 27-3 record overall and are 6-2 playing in neutral sites.

BETTING TRENDS

Memphis are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis' last 5 games.

Gonzaga are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Gonzaga's last 10 games.

Prediction

Gonzaga have won 19 of their last 20 games but they have struggled to cover the spread and they're only 2-3 when the spread was -12 to -8. Memphis are 6-2 in their last 8 games against Gonzaga and I'm not saying they will win this game but they can keep it close enough to cover the spread.

PICK: Memphis +10 (-110)

Find more sports picks from the top sports bettors and NCAAB experts all in one place using our iOS and Google Play apps, as well as our other articles at Kingpin.pro.  We are the home for NCAAB picks, sports picks and sports betting.