Every single time the Gonzaga Bulldogs face UCLA, it’s an instant classic tournament game. The Sweet 16 on Thursday night did not disappoint.
Gonzaga looked to be in control until Amari Bailey hit a 3 to take the lead late. All that did was set up Julian Strawther to hit a legendary dagger from deep, not quite as deep as Jalen Suggs two years ago, and not quite a buzzer beater, but a shot to dispatch the Bruins from the big dance once again.
Now, we have maybe a more exciting matchup between the UConn Huskies and the Zags in the Elite Eight. UConn became a footnote in the first night of the Sweet 16, but that’s because they dominated Arkansas in a forgettable wire-to-wire blowout, 88-65.
Can the Huskies and Jordan Hawkins stay hot, and more importantly can they shut down Drew Timme?
Let’s build a same-game parlay in the DraftKings Sportsbook to answer those questions and cash in on the Elite Eight. First we have to look at the odds for Gonzaga and UConn:
UConn vs. Gonzaga odds, spread and total
UConn Huskies @ Gonzaga Bulldogs | Current Best Odds
UConn might be playing better than any team in the tournament, it had everything rolling on Thursday, and I don’t think the team will slow down on Saturday.
Gonzaga’s defense almost let it slip away against UCLA at the end. UConn might slice through the Zags like a hot knife through butter, so we’re backing the Huskies with an SGP that is +904 in the DraftKings Sportsbook.
That means a $25 dollar bet would pay out $226.06. Let’s go!
Best same game parlay picks for UConn vs. Gonzaga
- First half over 72.5 points (-115)
- UConn moneyline (-135)
- Jordan Hawkins over 15.5 points (-140)
- Drew Timme over 21.5 points (-125)
First half over 72.5 points (-115)
UConn Huskies @ Gonzaga Bulldogs
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Tomorrow at 7:49 PM
Odds updated March 24th, 2023, at 1:07 pm
Gonzaga has the No. 1 scoring offense in the country and they’re also the No. 1 first half offense in the nation. UConn is 29th in points per game, but eighth in first half scoring this season, so the Huskies are known for their fast starts.
Not to mention Gonzaga is 73rd in adjusted defense and 287th in points allowed per game.
UConn moneyline (-135)
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Odds updated March 24th, 2023, at 1:07 pm
The Huskies are the No. 4 seed in the West Region, but when you look at KenPom, they are the third ranked team overall. The Huskies are third in adjusted offense and 13th in adjusted defense. They have Adama Sanogo to slow down Drew Timme inside and shooters all over the place to surround him.
The Zags do have Anton Watson who has a chance to stifle Sanogo, but nobody to account for Jordan Hawkins and Tristen Newton consistently. Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 29 points for UCLA and Amari Bailey added 19, the Zags don’t defend guards and wings well at all. Hawkins will be dominant.
Jordan Hawkins over 15.5 points (-140)
UConn Huskies @ Gonzaga Bulldogs
•
Tomorrow at 7:49 PM
Odds updated March 24th, 2023, at 1:07 pm
This season, Hawkins is averaging 16.1 points, but he had 24 on Thursday in a game where the Huskies shot 45% from 3 and 57.4% from the field.
They likely won’t recreate that, but Arkansas is a much better defensive team than Gonzaga.
Drew Timme over 21.5 points (-125)
UConn Huskies @ Gonzaga Bulldogs
•
Tomorrow at 7:49 PM
Odds updated March 24th, 2023, at 1:07 pm
It’s Drew Timme. He had 36 points in their win over UCLA which moved him into first place all-time for 20+ points games in the NCAA Tournament with 10.
I think Sanogo is a tough matchup for Timme because of his size and athleticism, but Timme is going to get enough shots. There were long stretches in the Sweet 16 where he was the only viable offensive option.
Follow all Josh Yourish’s bets HERE
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