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Gonzaga Bulldogs Predictions: 2011 CBB Future Lines

Quick article by The Schwab detailing the Gonzaga Bulldogs 2011 Season win total odds for over under NCAA Basketball betting futures and a season wins prediction…

2011 NCAA Men’s Basketball Team Previews – Gonzaga Bulldogs

As one of the perennial powers from a Mid-Major conference, Gonzaga is traditionally ranked in the top 25 of most of the major preseason polls and this season is no different.

The Sporting News has the Bulldogs ranked 20th, which is the highest of any team in the West Coast Conference. Rivals has them ranked No. 18 and the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll have the Zags ranked 23rd.

Last season Gonzaga finished the season with an overall record of 25-10 and an 11-3 record in conference play. After knocking-off St. Mary’s 75-63 as a two-point favorite to win the conference tournament it entered the NCAA Tournament as the 11th seed in the Southeast Region. The Bulldogs hammered St. Johns 86-71 in their first game as one-point underdogs. The brief ride came to an end in their next game as they fell to BYU 89-67 as one-point dogs.

The outlook for this season remains optimistic for a deeper run to the Sweet 16 and possibly beyond with the return of 7-foot-0 senior center Robert Sacre and 6-foot-7 junior forward Elias Harris to anchor the front court and senior guard Marquise Carter and sophomore guard David Stockton manning the back court.

Sacre was the team’s second-leading scorer last season with an average of 12.5 points a game and its leading rebounder with 6.2 boards a game. Harris averaged 12.4 points and pulled-down six rebounds a game. Carter averaged 19 minutes a game last season and was the fifth-leading scorer with 6.3 points a game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Stockton averaged 15 minutes off the bench, but is projected to be the starter heading into this season. Look for freshman guard Gary Bell Jr. and sophomore forward/center Sam Dower to play a major role this season off the bench.

Gonzaga kicks the 2011/2012 season off on Nov.11 against Eastern Washington. Things heat up right away with a Nov. 30 tilt against Notre Dame and a Dec. 17 matchup against No. 16 Arizona. The Bulldogs open conference play on Jan. 5 against Pepperdine and face their first major test for the regular season title with a trip to St. Mary’s on Jan. 12 to take on the Gaels.

While the sportsbooks have not posted odds for the West Coast Conference, BetOnline has Gonzaga at +3000 to win this season’s national title. The Zags are positioned well to improve upon last year’s 11th seed in the NCAA Tournament and a solid bet to at least make it to the Sweet 16 in this year’s dance.

NCAA Basketball gambling season is right around the corner and we’ve got your back with tons of great college basketball handicapping articles to help you become the best basketball betting expert on your block in the 2011/12 NCAA Hoops season and beyond.

By Dave Schwab

David Schwab is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. While not cheering for his beloved Philadelphia Eagles David can be found working on his blog at www.eaglesinc.com. David wants to hear from you so please comment below.