Why Picking the Underdog When Gonzaga Faces Texas Is The Smart Bet

Why Picking the Underdog When Gonzaga Faces Texas Is The Smart Bet

Texas, known for their relentless offense and unwavering determination cruised past Drexel and Alabama will now have to square off against Gonzaga, a team that has defied expectations and proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with after a program-record 32 wins and tournament upsets over Stanford and Arizona.

The Bulldogs are poised to give Texas their toughest test yet. But Texas, despite losing star point guard Rori Harmon, will still be bringing a stacked roster, including freshman sensation Madison Booker, and two-time WCC Player of the Year Shaylee Gonzales, playing just a five-hour drive from their Spokane home to help the squad try to pull through this dicey matchup.

As the odds reach a fever pitch, fans and bettors alike are eager to see who will emerge victorious in this must-watch March Madness matchup! So let’s break down this Sweet 16 matchup and see if the ‘Zags can pull through with the upset.

Gonzaga vs Texas Sweet 16 March Madness Odds

Don’t Call The Zags A Cinderella Story, Instead Bet The Upset

Gonzaga (+165), making its first Sweet 16 appearance since 2015, is ready to throw down against Texas for a spot in the Elite Eight. The Zags have been on a tear, posting double-digit wins over the 13-seed UC-Irvine Anteaters and the 5-seed Utah Utes in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

Despite a stunning upset by Portland in the WCC Tournament final, which snapped their impressive 24-game winning streak, the Bulldogs have already made history this season under the guidance of head coach Lisa Fortier. With 32 wins, Gonzaga has set a new program record for most victories in a single campaign.

As the Longhorns prepare for this Sweet 16 showdown, they face a daunting challenge in the experienced and skilled Gonzaga starting five, comprised entirely of seniors with well over 100 career games played each.

The Zags boast the second-best offense in the nation, thanks to their elite three-point shooting and relentless offensive rebounding.

Gonzaga is the only team in the country shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc this season, with all three starting guards contributing to this impressive stat. On the offensive glass, the Zags are a force to be reckoned with, ranking 12th in the nation in offensive rebounding percentage (39 percent) despite having only one player taller than 6-foot-1.

As the anticipation builds for this David vs. Goliath matchup, fans and analysts alike are eagerly waiting to see if the Zags can continue their magical run and pull off another stunning upset.

Everything Is Always Bigger In Texas, Including The Odds To Win

If you ask Longhorns coach Vic Schaefer if his team is ready for Friday’s game against Gonzaga, he won’t hesitate for a second to say yes. This showdown between the Big 12 Tournament champs and the WCC regular season champs is set to be a battle of wills, with a coveted spot in the Elite Eight up for grabs.

Texas (-230), sporting an impressive 32-4 record (14-4 Big 12), has been dominant in the NCAA Tournament thus far, cruising past the 16-seed Drexel Dragons 84-42 and the 8-seed Alabama Crimson Tide 65-54 in the first two rounds at the Moody Center in Austin.

The Longhorns’ success can be largely attributed to the outstanding performance of star freshman Booker, who has been a dominant force on both ends of the court. In the second-round victory over Alabama, Booker led the way with a team-high 21 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals, propelling Texas to an 11-point win.

However, the Longhorns’ defense will face its toughest test yet against the high-powered Gonzaga offense, which ranks second in the nation in offensive rating. It’s a fact that Texas will need to bring their A-game to contain Gonzaga’s potent offense and keep them off the boards

To emerge victorious, Texas will need standout performances from Booker, Taylor Jones, and Gonzales, as they attempt to counter Gonzaga’s formidable attack. Like Texas to go all the way in 2024?

As the anticipation builds for this thrilling Sweet 16 matchup, fans are eager to see which team will rise to the challenge and secure their spot in the Elite Eight. The Longhorns have played exceptionally well to start March Madness, but Gonzaga represents their tallest task yet this postseason.

Will Texas’s defensive prowess be enough to stifle Gonzaga’s dynamic offense? Or will the Bulldogs’ sharpshooting and relentless offensive rebounding prove too much for the Longhorns to handle?