It took 77 years for Northwestern to finally make it into the Madness and the Wildcats have no desire to make it a short stay. Northwestern just barely got past Vanderbilt in the Round of 64 but will face an incredibly difficult test against No. 1 seed Gonzaga on Saturday. It won’t be easy for Northwestern to win SU or cover, as Gonzaga is 20-6-1 ATS in its past 27 games as favorites.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Gonzaga's last 6 games.
- Northwestern is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games in March.
- Gonzaga is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games against the Big Ten.
Northwestern was gifted its win in the first round, as Vanderbilt guard Matthew Fisher-Davis intentionally fouled with 15 seconds left despite the Commodores being ahead. Bryant McIntosh bounced back in a big way after struggling in the Big Ten semis, as the junior scored 25 points while shooting 62.5 percent from the floor.
It wasn’t always pretty, but Gonzaga did what Gonzaga does in the first round. The Bulldogs started off slow against upset-minded South Dakota State but picked up momentum as the game progressed and easily won 66-46. The most impressive performance goes to Jonathan Williams, who managed to keep one of the best scorers in the nation, Mike Daum, in check while adding six points and 14 rebounds.
Northwestern Wildcats vs Gonzaga Bulldogs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
This college basketball season, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are 33-1 overall and 23-9-1 ATS, while the Northwestern Wildcats are 24-11 and 21-12 ATS. As for the betting totals, Gonzaga boasts a 17-16 on the OU, and Northwestern is 14-17-2.
According to new college basketball power rankings here at Odds Shark, it's the No. 2-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs and the No. 224-rated Northwestern Wildcats in this matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Gonzaga has the nation's No. 11-rated offensive output, at 84.03 PPG. The visiting Northwestern Wildcats defense ranks No. 28 allowing on average 65.09 PPG. The Bulldogs FG% has averaged 51.4% so far, more than the Gonzaga Wildcats marksmen have achieved on the year, 43.73% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Wildcats got 25 points from Bryant McIntosh as Northwestern ran past Vanderbilt 68-66 on Thursday at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
The Bulldogs blew out South Dakota State on Thursday, running up a 20+ point victory in a 66-46 win at Vivint Smart Home Arena.
