#8 Baylor vs #6 Gonzaga: Odds, Predictions & Key Insights | November 4, 2024

As the college basketball season kicks off, fans are in for an exciting matchup between #8 Baylor and #6 Gonzaga. Both teams are eager to make a statement early on, but the stakes are especially high for Gonzaga, who is looking to bounce back after a tough Sweet 16 exit last year. With a blend of returning talent and new additions, this game promises to showcase the strength and depth of both programs.

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2023-24 College Basketball Season: +33.35 units

#8 Baylor vs #6 Gonzaga Odds

Gonzaga senior guard, Nolan Hickman ready for another year in a Bulldogs uniform

#8 Baylor vs #6 Gonzaga odds are courtesy of BetOnline, a longtime fixture among the top online sports betting sites. Check out our BetOnline sportsbook review, then bag a big bonus (100% if your first deposit is with Bitcoin, Ethereum, or another cryptocurrency) to bet on College Basketball games.

Spread

Baylor: +3.5 (-110)

Gonzaga: -3.5 (-110)

Total

Over: 157 (-105)

Under: 157 (-115)

Moneyline

Baylor: +118

Gonzaga: -150

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#8 Baylor vs #6 Gonzaga Breakdown

My initial lean for this game was the over, especially with Gonzaga playing at home. Home teams often dictate the pace, and Gonzaga runs a fast tempo with an offense that can do it all. Baylor also boasts a strong offensive lineup with great perimeter shooters. However, since this is the first game of the season, I expect both teams to come out a bit sluggish. I’m not about to rely on college kids to hit their shots right out of the gate, so I decided to skip the total and go with a side.

I’m backing the home team in this season opener. Gonzaga is coming off a Sweet 16 loss and missed the WCC regular season title for the first time in over a decade. The Bulldogs return all but four players from last year’s roster, which speaks volumes about their commitment to the program. In an era of constant transfers, these players truly believe in what Mark Few has built over the last three decades.

Gonzaga – Home Team Edge

Key returning player Ryan Nembhard ranked seventh in the nation among qualifying Division I players in assists per game, averaging 12.6 points, four rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.2 steals last season, with a solid 40.9% from three-point range. In the final 21 games of the season, he averaged 13 points, four rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Senior guard Nolan Hickman will be Nembhard’s backcourt partner, averaging 14.0 points while shooting 47.1% from the field and 41.3% from three last season.

They’ve also added former Pepperdine transfer Michael Ajayi, a 6-foot-7 wing who ranked 17th among qualifying Division I players in three-point shooting percentage at 46.9%. He averaged 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game last season, enhancing their perimeter shooting.

New Look Bears

On the other side, Baylor will have a completely new look this season. They’ve brought in former Duke guard Jeremy Roach and former Miami forward Norchad Omier, who averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game with a 35% shooting percentage from three last season. Additionally, they have V.J. Edgecomb, a projected future NBA first-round pick and former 247 Sports’ No. 5 recruit for the 2024 class, adding depth to their backcourt.

The Play

Gonzaga’s offense is ranked second in college basketball according to Haslametrics, while Baylor’s is ranked 11th. Both teams boast top-20 defenses (Gonzaga 13th/Baylor 19th). With so many new pieces in Scott Drew’s lineup, it will take some time for them to gel, whereas Gonzaga has a squad that’s been playing together longer, with established chemistry and familiarity with Few’s system.

I’m taking the Bulldogs to win on day one.