Gonzaga To Win Season Opener Over Baylor

Monday is here at last which means the College Basketball betting sites are ready. There are a metric ton of college basketball games on this opening night. At Online Sports Betting, we preview what expects to be an intriguing matchup. So, first, we look at the Bears vs Bulldogs bets featuring the Baylor Bears going up against the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In theory, there should be plenty of offense.

WHAT: Baylor Bears versus Gonzaga Bulldogs
WHEN: Monday, November 4th, 2024, 11:30 pm ET on ESPN2
WHERE: Spokane Arena, Spokane, Washington
WHY: Because Top 10 matchups are always good

The bettors get treated to a clash between two expected contenders. The Bears vs Bulldogs bets expect to be quite the tight affair. Now, Gonzaga comes in as a team trying to bounce back after getting bounced in the NCAA Tournament by Purdue in the Sweet 16. Can the Bulldogs take care of business against a high-tempo team like Baylor? Our numbers here come courtesy of Bovada Online Sportsbook Review.

Baylor vs Gonzaga By The Numbers

NCAAM Round 1 Midwest
Baylor	-115	-112	-110
Gonzaga (-3.5)	-105	-108	-110

Bears vs Bulldogs Bets Wonder What Gonzaga Learned

Bears vs Bulldogs bets wonder what Gonzaga learned. So, Mark Few and Gonzaga struggled mightily at times last season. It was rough to see but maybe Gonzaga needed a little humble pie. The Bulldogs fixed things just enough to get into the NCAA Tournament and make a respectable showing. Then, they bowed out to Purdue even though the Bulldogs played pretty well. Now, can Few get his team going early?

Honestly, no one fully knows the answer to this question. Gonzaga takes a large leap in opponent quality here playing a Baylor team many feel could be a contender in the NCAA Tournament come March. Scott Drew's team is loaded as the Bears come to town. They possess quite a bit not to mention an offense which can go toe-to-toe against the pace of Gonzaga.

Let us take on this potentially excellent Monday night game. Can Gonzaga turn on the accelerator early against Baylor? Can Baylor keep up? This game could see more than 155 points combined. Some do not believe it but the potential exists.

The Offenses Could Be A Step Ahead

Bears vs Bulldogs bets know that the offenses could be a step ahead. Again, these two teams averaged 80+ points in 2023-24 and more is expected. With this being the first game of the year, the defenses could actually be on their heels a bit. Both of these teams practice at a faster tempo even. Gonzaga takes this to another level, however. Mark Few and the Bulldogs believed they played slow last year and yet ranked 8th in scoring.

Both teams feature plenty of top talent. Now, Gonzaga yielded less than 70 points a game last year. Do not expect that here. Only 28.6% of Baylor's offense returned but again 80.3% of Gonzaga's came back for another year. Ismailia Diagne could be a real wildcard. The seven-footer from Senegal is a real diamond in the rough. However, his raw talent is something to keep an eye on for this game. He is at least 240 pounds if not more and built like a linebacker not a Center.

Those forwards from Africa could be a real factor in this game. It almost feels like there is an arms race at times to load up on athletic talents like this. Either way, Baylor knows it is in for a fight. The Bears could take some time to gel and that much has been admitted based on practices and scrimmages. Gonzaga carries an advantage knowing its system and most of the prominent talent was there last year during the tougher times.

Again, we looked at this a little more rationally for this night. The Over/Under remains set at 155 points. Like we mentioned above, the thought process is going up to 155.5 or 156.5 is very possible. Keep an eye on some alternate numbers but we believe in that 155.5 number.

Baylor and Gonzaga To score 156 points or more on Monday

-105

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Bears vs Bulldogs Bets Laying Three Points?

So, what about Bears vs Bulldogs bets laying three points? The Baylor Bears are a considerable step up from what Gonzaga opened up last year against. That is not disrespect to Yale but this is the reality. Typically, a home team gets an inflated boost of three points from sportsbooks.

The Bulldogs should eventually show that their bite in the early going here. More than likely, Gonzaga flaunts their pace and attempts a lot of shots. Now, the Bulldogs are one of those teams that can knock down shots from anywhere. However, it is their ability to get inside that could be a problem for Baylor. The speed in how they generate offense may be something that Baylor is not fully ready for. It takes awhile to get up to Gonzaga's speed.

Also, there are a few other wrinkles err ways to bet on this contest. Early on in the season those may not be so viable, but eventually they will be. Right now, taking the Bulldogs to cover by at least four points is a solid plan. Also, this allows us to gain a few cents on the dollar here.

Gonzaga Bulldogs To beat Baylor by four or more points Monday

-105

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What About A Future For The Road?

Finally, Bears vs Bulldogs bets ask what about a future for the road? Gonzaga gains a little value because of what happened last year. They stand around +1800 to +2000 depending on the sportsbook. It is that +2000 which could be worth a quick look for a few dollars more.

Gonzaga Bulldogs To win the 2025 National Championship

+2000

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Do Not Forget The Bonuses

Do not forget the bonuses as the Sportsbook bonuses and promotions get you ready for the college basketball season. Expect bigger and better options as the 2024-25 campaign continues.