Jaguars vs. Bulldogs NCAA Tourney Spread/Handicapping
The Gonzaga Bulldogs earned the No. 1 seed in the West region, and they’re set to take on the No. 16 Southern University Jaguars. Everybody is waiting for the day when a 16 seed finally takes down a No. 1, but you’re not likely to see that happen in this particular matchup.
NCAA Tournament – West Bracket
No. 16 Southern University Jaguars (23-9, 15-3 SWAC) vs. No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-2, 16-0 WCC)
Thursday, March 21, 2013
4:10 PM PT
Salt Lake City, UT
Spread: -21.5 Gonzaga at DSI
ML: N/A
O/U: 126.5
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Southern University Jaguars
The Southern University Jaguars were the best team in the Southwestern Athletic Conference this season, and they earned their bid into the NCAA Tournament with a SWAC title in the 2012-13 season. All is good for the Jags at this point in the year, but they’re about to face their toughest opponent to date by a long shot.
The Jags began their year just 1-5. They quickly turned things around, going 22-4, but their strength of schedule doesn’t give you much confidence heading into a matchup against Gonzaga. Led by senior guard Derick Beltran and junior guard Malcolm Miller, this team averaged 67.7 points per game, which was only good enough for 162nd in the nation.
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Their field-goal percentage was just 43.4 percent, which put them at 172nd.
Where Southern is going to make their mark is on defense. It has the ability to slow down the pace and control the tempo of its opponents, but that’s going to be a major task against the No. 12 scoring offense in the country.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have never been a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament—until now that is. The team earned the No. 1 seed after a 31-2 record, and it did it with depth and versatility. [ad-6571516]
While there are a number of players who will impact this game—and the Tournament in general—seven-footer Kelly Olynyk is the one to look out for. He has proven that he is a National Player of the Year-caliber player, and he is going to be arguably the toughest opponent that Southern has seen all season.
The Bulldogs don’t have any major weaknesses, but like the Jaguars, their level of competition can be questioned.
Coming from the WCC, there are those who doubt this team when it comes to a title run. Their solid play on both sides of the ball should help alleviate those concerns, especially in their first game against Southern.
Like many 16-1 matchups, expect Southern to come out with energy, as they’re excited to simply be in the NCAA Tournament.
However, energy will only get them so far against the No. 1 seed in the West Region. Expect Gonzaga to take over by halftime, and expect the second half to be as ugly as a matchup as any in the second round.
Prediction: Gonzaga 85 – Southern 52
