Texas Basketball vs. Gonzaga: Prediction and odds for Nov. 16
The day has arrived with No. 11 ranked Texas basketball and head coach Chris Beard set to host head coach Mark Few and the No. 2 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs at home at the brand new Moody Center in Austin. Texas will get a chance to make a statement to the entire college hoops landscape if it can get the win on Nov. 16 over an extremely talented Gonzaga team.
Beard and the Longhorns come into this highly anticipated matchup with a record of 2-0 (0-0 Big 12) following a dominant 82-31 win at home at the Moody Center on Nov. 10 over the Houston Christian Huskies. Texas also knocked off the UTEP Miners in the season opener at home on Nov. 7.
Meanwhile, Gonzaga comes into this game with a record of 2-0 (0-0 WCC) following a tight one-point win over the Michigan State Spartans on Nov. 11. The other win on the season for the Zags came in its opener at home over North Florida, by a score of 104-63, on Nov. 7.
Here’s a look at the betting odds and game prediction as Texas gets set to host Gonzaga at home at the Moody Center in Austin on Nov. 16, with the tipoff time set for 8:30 p.m. CT. This game is also set to be broadcast live on ESPN2.
Texas basketball vs. Gonzaga: Odds for Nov. 16
Texas is a 2.5-point favorite over Gonzaga and the over/under is set at 143.5.
The moneyline also favors Texas (-142) narrowly over Gonzaga (+118).
According to the ESPN Basketball Power Index, Texas has a 67.3 percent chance of beating Gonzaga in this game.
Texas vs. Gonzaga prediction
This will be the biggest game of the non-conference slate for Beard and the Longhorns. Texas will be looking to avenge its loss by a dozen points on the road last season to the Zags when two-time All-American big man Drew Timme went off for a career-high 37 points and seven rebounds.
Texas should expect to face a Gonzaga team that can dominate on the inside, often winning the battle on the glass, protecting the rim, and moving the ball well from the inside out. Gonzaga moves the ball well around the perimeter too, while rarely forcing the issue.
Last but not least, Gonzaga is a disruptive team defensively, as this rotation has some length in the backcourt and on the wing. Gonzaga ranks in the top 10 in the country, forcing 13 steals per game so far this season.
dark. Next. 5 bold predictions for Texas vs. Gonzaga
The good news for Texas is that this team is more than experienced enough, and should know the gameplan needed to beat this Gonzaga squad at home. Texas has a more formidable backcourt unit, thanks to the additions of Tyrese Hunter and Arterio Morris. And the frontcourt should match up better with big man Dylan Disu ready to go this season.
I believe this will be a closer game, but Gonzaga will still come out on top by a few points.