Gonzaga vs. Kansas Predictions, Odds

• November 26, 2020
• By David Schwab
• VegasInsider.com

Thanksgiving Day college basketball action gets off to a great start with the Big 12’s No. 6-ranked Kansas Jayhawks taking on the West Coast Conference’s Gonzaga Bulldogs as the top-ranked team in the nation.

Action in the Fort Myers Tip-Off gets underway at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

BETTING RESOURCES

• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Venue: Suncoast Credit Union Arena
• Location: Fort Myers, Florida
• Date: Thursday, November 26, 2020
• Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet | All

Gonzaga-Kansas Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: Gonzaga -4
• Money-Line: Gonzaga -235 Kansas +185
• Total: 147.5
• Implied Probability: Villanova 70.15%

Odds Subject to Change

This game opened with Gonzaga favored by 2 ½ points and the public has driven the spread up to 4 ½ points closer to the 1:30 p.m. (ET) tip-off at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Even at 4 ½ points, Gonzaga is the overwhelming pick by the betting public in early action.

The betting total for this game opened at 146 ½ points and it has held steady across most books. Early bettors are much more evenly split on this play.

Kansas posted a 9-3 record against the spread last season in 11 road games. It was 2-1 ATS in three neutral-site matchups. The Jayhawks covered in a pair of games closing as underdogs as part of an overall 19-12 record ATS.

The Bulldogs went 31-2 SU with a 17-15-1 record ATS last season. Their record ATS as favorites was 16-15-1 and they failed to cover in four of five neutral-site games including one PUSH.

Betting Analysis – Gonzaga Bulldogs

2019-2020 Results - Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 29-2
• ATS: 15-16
• SU - Home: 18-0
• SU - Away: 11-2
• O/U: 25-6

Betting Analysis – Kansas Jayhawks

2019-2020 Results - Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 28-3
• ATS: 19-12
• SU - Home: 16-1
• SU - Away: 12-2
• O/U: 11-20

Inside the Stats – Gonzaga Bulldogs

2019-20 stats

• PS/G: 87.4 (1st)
• PA/G: 67.8 (135th)
• Off Rtg: 120.1 (1st)
• Def Rtg: 93.2 (33rd)
• SRS: 22.7 (2nd)
• SOS: 3.12 (108th)

It is easy to see why Gonzaga opens the season as the No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 and the favorite to win a national championship across any number of books taking action on that bet.

There is a wealth of talent back from last season’s roster, including preseason All-American Corey Kispert. The Bulldogs will turn to Drew Timme to anchor the frontcourt and junior guard Joel Ayayi adds scoring depth.

The biggest addition could be Florida transfer Andrew Nembhard. The NCAA has given him permission to play this season through a special waiver. He averaged 11.2 points and 5.6 assists in his sophomore season with the Gators. Also new to the lineup is freshman guard Jalen Suggs.

Inside the Stats – Kansas Jayhawks

2019-20 stats

• PS/G: 74.6 (88th)
• PA/G: 60.7 (10th)
• Off Rtg: 109.4 (33rd)
• Def Rtg: 89 (4th)
• SRS: 24.96 (1st)
• SOS: 11.63 (1st)

As a perennial college basketball power, Kansas should be able to pick up where it left off following another Big 12 regular season title.

While the Jayhawks are ranked sixth in the AP Top 25, they will start the season at No. 5 on the preseason Coaches’ Poll. They are also in the Top 10 when it comes to NCAAB futures odds to win this season’s national title.

Kansas has two huge holes to fill from last season’s starting five with the departure of Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike to the NBA. In their place, the Jayhawks will rely heavily on junior guard Ochai Agbaji as another top scorer and rebounder.

David McCormack has been tapped to replace Azubuike following a productive sophomore season. Marcus Garrett should also play a significant role for Kansas. New to the team are Bryce Thompson and transfer Tyon Grant-Foster.

Key Players to Watch

2019-20 stats

• KU - Ochai Agbaji (10 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
• ZAGA - Corey Kispert (13.9 ppg, 4 rpg)
• ZAGA - Joel Ayayi (10.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg)

Gonzaga-Kansas Predictions

Of all the opening round games scheduled for the extended Thanksgiving Holiday weekend, this one tops the list.

Each of these teams was in excellent position to make a deep run at the 2020 national title. A fast start to this season would set the tone for another hopeful run.

With the spread moving to 4 ½ points, there is some added value in the Jayhawks. However, I am still going chalk with the Bulldogs SU and ATS.

Kansas comes in with a few unanswered questions, while this Gonzaga roster has the potential to be even better than last season’s 31-2 edition.

I would also go with the OVER on the 146 ½-point total line. These two teams will be looking to put on a show in front of a national audience on Thanksgiving Day.

• Score Prediction: Gonzaga 82 Kansas 75
• Best Bet: Gonzaga -4.5
• Best Bet: Over 146.5