Ricky Dimon
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One game remains in the 2020-21 college basketball season, and it is the one everybody has been waiting for. Monday night’s National Championship pits the Gonzaga Bulldogs against the Baylor Bears in what should be an appropriate end to what has been a positively mad March Madness. The Bulldogs took the circuitous route to get there, but they did so all the same—outlasting UCLA 93-90 in overtime on Saturday night. It was an instant classic that certainly wasn’t supposed to be given the 14-point spread. Baylor, seeded second overall behind Gonzaga, hammered Houston 78-59.
Throughout the NCAA Tournament we have been covering everything from line movements to betting trends, statistics, quotes, and more on a daily basis to provide you with everything you need to know about all of happenings in Indianapolis. With the title game one day away, let’s take another daily in-depth look at the Big Dance.
Line movements
Move for the under
Gonzaga-Baylor 160 to 159.5
Public Money
Here is where the money is going in advance of the National Championship.
Baylor ML over Gonzaga
Per DraftKings, the public is finding favorable value on Baylor’s money line at +165. A total of 76 percent of the handle and 66 percent of the bets are backing the Bears to win outright. Bettors are totally conflicted on the point spread, however. Although 59 percent of the wagers are picking Gonzaga -4.5, only 46 percent of the money is going in that same direction. For those counting, that means Baylor +4.5 is drawing 41 percent of the bets and 54 percent of the handle.
There is no clear consensus on the 159.5 total, either. The over is inspiring 59 percent of the bets, but 61 percent of the money is on the under.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Baylor Bears preview and picks
Stat of the Day
23 – The most famous number in basketball is also the assists total recorded by Baylor in Saturday’s first Final Four game against Houston.
The Bears’ 23 assists during their rout of Houston were the most at the Final Four since UNLV in 1990. They assisted on 23 of 29 of their made baskets. Davion Mitchell dished out 11 of those dimes, while MaCio Teague added six and Jared Butler finished with four. Such offensive efficiency will be paramount if Baylor wants to keep up with the nation’s highest-scoring team in Gonzaga.
Quote of the Day
“I don’t know if it’s safe to admit yet, but we’re partners in pickleball in the bubble. And we’re undefeated, I might add.”
— Gonzaga head coach Mark Few, referring to Baylor head coach Scott Drew
Few and Drew have been teaming up on the pickleball court during down time in the Indianapolis bubble throughout the NCAA Tournament. And apparently they have yet to be defeated. Speaking of a perfect record, Few will be trying to maintain his on the basketball court on Monday night. The Zags are 31-0 and looking to become the first team since Indiana in 1975-76 to complete an entire season of perfection. This time, of course, Drew won’t be his partner but rather his opponent.
Pickswise is the home of March Madness Predictions. Check out all of our March Madness Picks, including daily March Madness Parlays throughout the NCAA Tournament.
