3 Reasons Why Gonzaga Can Win the 2021 March Madness Tournament
The Gonzaga Bulldogs pulled off an undefeated regular season, documenting 15-0 in the West Coast Conference and 24-0 overall. This is the first time since the 2014-15 season that a team completed an undefeated regular season. The Zags closed the regular season with a strong 84-66 win against the Saint Mary’s Gaels and are now one of the top prospects to win the 2021 National Championship.
The Zags came close to an undefeated run in the 2016-17 season, but the BYU Cougars ended the fairytale run with a 79-71 upset win on Senior Night. This time, Gonzaga has become the 29th team in NCAA history to accomplish this feat. Gonzaga’s mission to win March Madness 2021 is definitely within this team’s reach.
Let’s dive into this March Madness betting preview and see if Gonzaga is the best pick for you!
Key Elements of the Gonzaga Bulldogs Undefeated Season
— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) March 9, 2021
Strong Core
One of the several factors that makes Gonzaga a heavy favorite to win March Madness 2021 is the Zags’ lineup. The list includes both offensive and defensive threats that can perform consistently day in and day out. The team’s leading scorer, Corey Kispert, averages 19.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per 30.8 minutes played.
He is followed by Drew Timme and Jalen Suggs, who contributes an average of 18.9 and 13.9 points, respectively. Their stacked core is also backed up by a deep bench team who contributes to the scoreboard when needed adds up to an undefeated season.
READ MORE: 2021 March Madness Cinderella Teams to Bet On
Efficient Offense
If we look at the numbers, the Zags have overrun their opponents in the paint, averaging 51.2 points in the shaded area per game, making it the highest average in the last 15 seasons. At the time of this writing, they are shooting 64.4 percent from the 2-point range, making a run another record over the past 26 seasons.
On top of that, they are shooting 55.3 percent from the field, on track to beat the 56.6 percent record set by Michigan in the 1988-89 season. If that’s not enough to prove Gonzaga’s offensive prowess, its average possession lasts only 14.2 seconds, the third shortest in the league, and scores north of 22 points per game in transition. With that kind of offensive prowess, it’s hard to see why Gonzaga is a top choice to win March Madness 2021.
The Zags Are Due
After coming close to an undefeated season and a title in 2017 where they lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels, 71-65, it’s about time that the Zags get another shot at the championship and potentially win their first National Championship.
More than that, at +275 to win this year’s National Championship, it’s easy to tell how big this team’s chances of going all the way this year. If everything stays in line for the team and all players stay healthy, there’s no doubt that the Zags are in the neighborhood of a title.
After completing a dominant regular season and now headed to March Madness, we can only hope that the Zags close out an impressive run with a title to its name.
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