Top March Madness sportsbooks online favor Connecticut when the UConn Huskies and the Gonzaga Bulldogs play each other in an NCAA Tournament Elite 8 college basketball matchup at the T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-5 SU, 15-20 ATS) will be looking to secure a spot in the Final Four for the second time in 3 years when they clash with the Connecticut Huskies (28-8, 24-12) on Saturday in West Region Elite Eight NCAAB action.
The #3 seed in the West, Gonzaga earned its trip back to the Elite Eight for the fifth time in 8 years with a close 79-76 win against #2 UCLA, thus prolonging its current outright winning streak to 12 games.
Seeded #4 in the region, the Huskies continued a dominant run at the 2023 NCAA Tournament with an 88-65 trouncing of Arkansas in Thursday’s Sweet 16 action. They will be aiming to add to a three-game SU winning streak in the Elite Eight.
Connecticut Huskies vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Odds by BetUs
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | -2 ( -110 ) | 153½ ( -110 ) | -135 |  |
| Gonzaga | +2 ( -110 ) | 153½ ( -110 ) | +115 | |
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Betting UConn Huskies
The Huskies are slightly favored at the best online sportsbooks. They were leading from bell to bell in Thursday’s win over the Razorbacks. They established a double-digit lead in an early 16-2 run which they did not yield en route to a third straight win in a row by a wide double-digit winning margin.
UConn was dominant in every facet of the game. They limited Arkansas players to a paltry 31.3% from the field. Huskies defense also outmatched the Razorbacks under the basket. They amassed a 32-15 advantage in defensive rebounds while Connecticut shooters made it rain, going 9-for-20 from the three-point line.
It was another remarkable evening for the sophomore Jordan Hawkins. He led the team with 24 points. Hawkins torched Arkansas from beyond the arc with three three-point shots and has now converted 3 or more treys in 8 of 10 games.
Adama Sanogo had a game-best eight rebounds and went 9-for-11 for 18 points. He has made 90.2% of his field-goal attempts in his last five games.
After they faced tough tests early in the opening-weekend rounds with Iona and Saint Mary’s, the Huskies would establish their dominance early in Thursday’s dissection of the Razorbacks. However, another such performance versus a seasoned Zags team that has been in this stage before is going to be easier said than done.
The Huskies have performed an outstanding job of fulfilling defensive duties, and role players have been stepping up with strong showings. Among those there are Tristen Newton and Andre Jackson Jr., who added a total of 14 rebounds and as many assists on Thursday. More of that will be a must against a healthy Bulldogs squad.
Betting Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga are underdogs at top sportsbook online, though not by much. The top-scoring team in the nation this years, the Zags have been dominating at times in their current 12-0 winning streak. That said, their recent trend toward slow openings could rise as a major issue against a UConn team that has been firing on all cylinders.
That includes senior star Drew Timme, who has piled up big numbers but who has apparently saved some of his tricks for until after the halftime break in the past two games, particularly on the rebound department.
For the 2nd time in as many games, the Bulldogs had to overcome losing at halftime to pick up the W. The Zags conceded TCU a five-point lead before they stormed back to beat the Horned Frogs in the second round.
They also faced a 13-point deficit at the halftime break in Thursday’s battle with UCLA. The Bulldogs bounced back with a passion following the break. They seized the lead with a 28-13 run to open the second half.
They led by as many as ten points before they eventually gave it all back in the final two minutes. Julian Strawther was the hero of this tug of war. The imposing junior was a force to be reckoned with at both ends of the court following the recess. He racked up six rebounds and 14 points. That includes
Gonzaga’s last four points that got the job done. Drew Timme once more led the offensive attack. He set game bests with 36 points and 13 rebounds. He has now averaged 28.3 points thus far in the tournament.
Connecticut Huskies vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Picks
Gonzaga almost crapped the bed against UCLA, and it took some late pyrotechnics to snatch away the win, but we do not think that the Zags are going to be as lucky this time around. Take UConn here.
