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Sometimes you want to make a quick pitstop, empty the bladder, grab a bag of salty snacks and limber up the limbs before hitting the open road again. For the fast-minded who enjoy simple $2 scratchers hoping to uncover the jackpot-winning image, here are quick thoughts and leans on Monday’s Baylor-Gonzaga matchup at Spokane Arena.
No. 8 Baylor (0-0) vs. No. 6 Gonzaga (0-0)
Date: Monday, November 4
Time: 11:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
The pick — SGP: Gonzaga -2.5, Gonzaga UNDER 90.5 points (-105, BetMGM)
The most glorious time of the year has finally arrived. No, it doesn’t involve magical flying reindeer, a holly jolly rotund elf or a pair of bumbling house robbers routinely humiliated by Kevin McAllister.
College basketball is officially back. And, per usual, this enthusiastic bettor has no clue what will happen in the immediate or long-term future.
Speaking candidly, due to roster reconstruction in this transfer portal age, the first month of the season is a complete crapshoot. How new bodies mesh in transformed systems is anyone’s best guess. Every game and every data point will present a learning opportunity.
With that in mind, I will still attempt to predict the unpredictable.
In the marquee matchup of opening night, the competitive level should stoke the drama.
The Bears and Bulldogs begin the regular season ranked in the top 10 of the AP poll and have deep-run ambitions for March. They’re loaded with talent and are guided by proven tacticians who usually push all the right buttons.
Unlike many powerhouse teams, Mark Few’s Gonzaga has considerable roster continuity at key positions. Interior bucket getter Graham Ike is one of the best pivot scorers in the college game. Last season, he ranked No. 110 nationally in overall offensive rating, draining over 61% from 2-point range. In the paint, he steadily and consistently punishes.
As for the Zags' backcourt, seniors Nolan Hickman and Ryan Nembhard return. Not only savvy setting the table offensively, the duo combined for 112 3-pointers in 2023-24. It’s no surprise Evan Miya, BartTorvik and KenPom all have the Bulldogs No. 1 or No. 2 in projected offensive efficiency and No. 9 or higher overall.
As for Baylor, Scott Drew is hoping to kill opponents with kindness and a balanced attack featuring the dynamic backcourt of Jayden Nunn, Langston Love and Duke transfer Jeremy Roach. Inside, former Miami standout Norchad Omier, who recorded 17 double-doubles with the Hurricanes last season, brings the thump down low.
In the end, the partisan home crowd at Spokane Arena is sure to play a significant factor. So will Gonzaga's returning experience and backcourt depth.
In a game sure to crank the possessions, Few’s club will zig and zag its way to a season-opening victory, but, please, don't overheat the scoreboard.
Season record: 0-0, +0.00 units