The No. 9-seed Georgia Bulldogs are set to clash with the No. 8-seed Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The matchup will take place on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at approximately 4:35 p.m. ET in Wichita, Kansas. Both teams have had turbulent seasons leading up to the tournament, but Georgia is looking to continue their momentum as they enter the game as underdogs.
Georgia, boasting a record of 20-12 and an 8-10 standing in the SEC, has shown remarkable improvement late in the season, fighting hard to make their mark in March Madness. They will rely heavily on their standout freshman center, Asa Newell, who has been a key player for the Bulldogs. Newell leads Georgia in scoring with an impressive 15.3 points per game and also serves as their top rebounder, averaging 6.8 rebounds per game.
On the other hand, Gonzaga, with a record of 25-8 and a 14-4 mark in the West Coast Conference, has historically been a powerhouse in college basketball. They enter the tournament with an enviable track record, having made nine straight Sweet Sixteen appearances. Much of their success has been attributed to their high-level guard play, yet weaknesses do exist within their roster. Observers note that Gonzaga’s strength of schedule has been a point of concern, as they navigated the No. 82 toughest schedule in the country, compared to Georgia’s No. 57 ranking.
The odds may favor Gonzaga, but an upset is well within the realm of possibility. Recent history indicates a trend of nine-seed teams surprising their eight-seed counterparts. In the last six NCAA Tournaments, nine seeds have managed to knock off eight seeds at least twice, and across their last 24 meetings, nine seeds hold an impressive 16 victories.
Georgia is banking not just on history but also on their recent performance, especially defensively. Their scoring defense only allows 69.3 points per game, making them slightly better than Gonzaga, who allows 69.9 points per game. Furthermore, Georgia's defense is particularly formidable, as they limit opponents to 40.9% shooting. The Bulldogs have developed an interior presence that results in an average of 5.2 blocks per game, marking them as one of the nation's leaders in defensive stats.
Asa Newell's play will be critical for Georgia’s success. Having scored in double digits in all but three games this season, Newell is coming off a standout performance against Oklahoma, where he notched a career-high 21 points and secured 17 rebounds. His production will be crucial in establishing Georgia’s momentum early in the game.
Rebounding will also play a pivotal role; Gonzaga has struggled on the boards this season, experiencing an unfavorable rebounding margin in seven of their eight losses. Georgia ranks No. 58 in the nation for rebounding margin, boasting an impressive ability to out-rebound their opponents by 4.1 rebounds per game. This aspect of their game could be the deciding factor against a Gonzaga team that will need to tighten up on the glass.
As sportsbooks open their markets, analysis of the game has been revealing. Many betting experts seem to align with the notion that Georgia stands a strong chance to win. Notably, college hoops analyst Alex White makes her predictions with a game total of 158 points, definitively favoring a higher scoring affair than the bookmakers' established over/under of 150.5. This suggests an expectation of offensive firepower from both sides, but especially from Gonzaga, who are known for their highly effective offense.
While make-or-break moments will occur throughout the match, Georgia will need to keep composure as they take on this formidable opponent. The gambit of their upset hinges on defense, rebounding, and Newell's performance. If they can dominate these facets of the game, Georgia could rise above the odds and upset Gonzaga, moving ahead to face the winner of the No. 1 seed Houston versus No. 16 seed SIU Edwardsville matchup.
The stage is set for what promises to be an exciting confrontation on Thursday, as Georgia aims to prove their naysayers wrong and continue their march through March Madness. Can the Bulldogs deliver an upset and make their mark in this year's tournament? Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close watch.
