Gonzaga vs. Grand Canyon: 2023 NCAA Tournament Best Bets & Picks

Mar 13, 2023 - 12:01 AM

March Madness is officially here! The 2023 NCAA Tournament Bracket has been announced, and the teams are lining up for the Big Dance. Let’s take a look at the early odds, preview, and predictions for the 2023 NCAA Tournament Round 1 game: Gonzaga vs. Grand Canyon.

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2023 March Madness Odds, Preview & Predictions: Gonzaga vs. Grand Canyon

Gonzaga vs. Grand Canyon Odds, Spread & Match Up Overview

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Gonzaga 2023 NCAA Tournament Betting Preview

After ranking second in the preseason AP poll, Gonzaga lost three of its first eight games. It seemed like the Bulldogs’ dynasty had finally come to an end. After that, Mark Few’s squad lost only two regular-season games. One of those losses was in overtime, and Gonzaga had wins over Alabama and Saint Mary’s.

I think Gonzaga is a sneaky Final Four pick because of Mark Few’s coaching abilities and the experience these players have. Offensively, this team is still a juggernaut. Ranking in the top five in adjusted offensive efficiency, the Bulldogs can run teams out of the building with their fast pace and low turnover rate. They score nearly at will down low, with nearly 57 percent of their points coming from inside the arc, top 25 in the nation. The Bulldogs can shoot from beyond the arc and rebound offensively as well.

Their title hopes are high, but this is not the Gonzaga of old. This is the worst defensive team Mark Few has coached since 2007, with the Bulldogs ranking outside the top 75. We have seen teams with an offensive build have quick exits in the tournament, and that is well within the realm of possibility for Gonzaga. Gonzaga was trounced by Purdue on a neutral court and got crushed by Texas in Austin. The elite teams Gonzaga has faced have either gone toe-to-toe with the Bulldogs or beat them down. I can’t say the floor is all too high for Gonzaga despite their ceiling being high. Drew Timme has to step up and be more physical down low in order for the Bulldogs to make a run.

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Grand Canyon 2023 NCAA Tournament Betting Preview

The Antelopes upset Sam Houston State and Southern Utah to claim their auto bid and a shot for yet another upset in the Big Dance. Grand Canyon is an offensive-based team that shoots lights out from the perimeter, ranking 23rd in the nation at three-point shooting. Chance McMillian and Noah Baumann both shoot above 40 percent from deep and are a big reason why Grand Canyon finds itself in this position. The problem is that going up against any perimeter-based defensive team will make it tough for Grand Canyon to adjust, as only 45 percent of their points come from inside the arc, ranking 326th in the nation. However, Grand Canyon does have a reputable defense and forces opponents to beat them on the dribble drive. With a low turnover rate, opponents can get open looks a fair amount, so there would have to be luck thrown their way a bit. Grand Canyon is a bit one-dimensional, but what they do, they do well. It’s just a matter of if their opponents can stop them or not.

Gonzaga vs. Grand Canyon 2023 NCAA Tournament Predictions

The Gonzaga Bulldogs haven’t been as good on the defensive end as in previous years. But the offense is still dominating. After a win over St. Mary’s in the WCC Final, Gonzaga looks poised to make another run in the NCAA Tournament. There’s less pressure on the Zags now that they’re a three-seed. Maybe that catapults them to a title this year.

They’ll face a Grand Canyon team that won four games in four days in the WAC to advance to the NCAA Tournament. The Antelopes went 24-11 but finished the regular season in the WAC, just 10-7. The defense struggles on the glass and fouls at a high rate. That won’t help against this Gonzaga offense. Unless Grand Canyon goes bonkers from downtown, the Antelopes will struggle badly in this one. Back Gonzaga to earn a big win over the Antelopes.