The No. 8 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs are set to clash with the No. 9 seed Georgia Bulldogs this Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 1:35 p.m. PT in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The contest occurs at the INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas, marking Gonzaga's 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and Georgia's first since 2015.
Gonzaga enters the tournament with an impressive record of 25-8, having dominated the West Coast Conference with a 14-4 mark. Rated No. 24 in the Associated Press poll and No. 9 in KenPom, the Zags have maintained a high standard of performance despite being lower-seeded than in recent years. This is their first time being an eight seed since 2016, a significant departure from their recent status as top seeds. They are favored in this matchup by 6.5 points, as indicated by betting lines that vary between Gonzaga -5.5 to -6.5.
Gonzaga boasts remarkable offensive statistics, ranking second in the nation with an average of 86.6 points per game. They have five players averaging double-digit scoring, led by Graham Ike with 17.1 points per game. The Zags are also first nationwide in assists per game, averaging 19.7, with Ryan Nembhard leading with a staggering 9.8 assists per game. Nembhard recently broke the West Coast Conference (WCC) record with 325 assists in a single season. This trio of accomplishments positions Gonzaga as a formidable opponent entering the tournament.
As excitement builds around the tournament, coach Mark Few reflected on the journey to this point, emphasizing the importance of earning one’s place in the competition. “I hope our fans and people that follow the program understand after a year like this, nothing is given to you. You earn your way into this tournament. That's what makes it so special,” Few stated.
In stark contrast, Georgia arrives in Wichita with a record of 20-12, having had significant ups and downs over the season. Despite their loss to Oklahoma (81-75) in the SEC Tournament, they recorded eight wins against top-10 teams, more than any other school in the nation. This included victories over powerhouse programs such as ranked No. 1 Florida and No. 3 Kentucky, cementing their reputation in a challenging Southeastern Conference (SEC), which sent a record 14 teams to the tournament this year. Georgia’s performance in the SEC has proven its mettle as they face an uphill battle against Gonzaga.
Georgia, led by freshman forward Asa Newell with averages of 15.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, is banking on youthful energy to challenge Gonzaga. Newell has been a standout this season, being named to the SEC All-Freshman team. Meanwhile, sophomore guard Silas Demary Jr. also contributes significantly, averaging 13.4 points per game, positioning Georgia as a competent adversary.
The expectations leading up to this game position Gonzaga with an 71.3% probability to advance, as per ESPN’s matchup predictor. However, experience definitely plays a crucial role in March Madness, which heavily favors Gonzaga. With a roster full of veteran players, Gonzaga’s experience under pressure could be pivotal as they look to secure their spot in the second round of the tournament.
As the game approaches, both teams carry unique narratives; Gonzaga’s historical success and depth countered by Georgia's underdog spirit. The matchup not only resonates with the team’s distinct paths to this moment but emphasizes the very essence of what makes March Madness unpredictable and thrilling.
Tip-off is set for 1:35 p.m. PT on March 20, 2025, and the winner will face the victor of the matchup between No. 1 Houston and No. 16 SIU-Edwardsville, which promises to add another layer of excitement to an already thrilling tournament lineup.
