The Gonzaga Bulldogs and Georgia Bulldogs, two teams vying for advancement in the NCAA Tournament, are set to face off on Thursday, March 20, 2025. This matchup, taking place at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, promises to be an exciting contest between the No. 8 seed Gonzaga (25-8) and the No. 9 seed Georgia (20-12), with tip-off scheduled for approximately 4:35 p.m. ET, broadcast live on TBS.
Gonzaga, a perennial powerhouse, enters the tournament following a strong finish to the regular season, winning 9 of their last 10 games. The Bulldogs’ latest victory came in the West Coast Conference (WCC) championship, where they defeated Saint Mary’s 58-51. Notably, this year's No. 8 seed is the lowest Gonzaga has been ranked since they were an 11-seed in 2016, when they made a Sweet 16 appearance. Expectations run high for this re-emerging powerhouse, as they have consistently reached at least the Sweet 16 in each of their past nine NCAA Tournament appearances. Coach Mark Few remains at the helm, guiding Gonzaga with a coaching record that boasts multiple tournament runs.
Key players for Gonzaga include forward Graham Ike, who averaged 17.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, along with guard Khalif Battle contributing an average of 13.2 points per game. Gonzaga also comes with solid depth; guard Nolan Hickman recorded 11.0 points per game and boasts an outstanding 43.6% shooting percentage from three-point range. Ryan Nembhard, meanwhile, is a noteworthy contributor with 10.8 points and a team-leading 9.8 assists per game.
In contrast, Georgia's journey to the tournament was tumultuous, especially during a four-game losing streak earlier in the season. However, they recovered admirably, winning their final four regular-season games leading up to the NCAA Tournament. Georgia relies heavily on Asa Newell, who is averaging 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, and guard Silas Demary, who adds 13.4 points to the mix with a solid three-point shooting ratio of 37.6%.
Despite their recent successes, Georgia has faced struggles against stronger competition, finishing the SEC season with a sub-.500 record (8-10). Their most recent game ended in a disappointing defeat to Oklahoma in the SEC Tournament, where they lost 81-75 despite showing potential in their previous matches.
The betting outlook for this opening-round game has Gonzaga as a clear favorite. As of Thursday, March 19, the odds listed Gonzaga at -6.5 against the spread, with a moneyline of Gonzaga -285 and Georgia +230. The over/under is set at 149.5 total points. Experts anticipate Gonzaga to win, with a strong emphasis on their historical performance in the tournament, as well as their efficiency on offense—ranked second in the nation. However, Georgia's recent covering of the spread in five of their last six games gives them a fighting chance in this match.
Analyst predictions suggest that Gonzaga will likely secure the win, with scores predicted to hover around Gonzaga 76, Georgia 72. There’s a general consensus that while Gonzaga's offensive prowess and experience may overpower Georgia, the latter's resilience and late-season performance could keep the game competitive. Coach Mike White of Georgia acknowledged the stakes, stating, "We have an opportunity as a team to make some noise," reflecting the spirit and determination of the Bulldogs' squad as they prepared for their matchup against Gonzaga.
As fans eagerly anticipate what is sure to be an exciting matchup, both teams must remind themselves that anything can happen in the NCAA tournament. This battle of the Bulldogs will not only determine who advances to the next round, but it will also showcase the sheer unpredictability of March Madness. Betting and prediction trends may steer pundits one way, but the teams will need to rely on skill, grit, and perhaps a bit of luck to emerge victorious.
