Gonzaga Bulldogs vs Georgia Bulldogs Picks and Predictions March 20th 2025

Gonzaga Rides Momentum into First-Round Battle vs. Georgia

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (25-8, No. 8 seed) enter the NCAA Tournament with a strong finish, setting up a first-round battle against the Georgia Bulldogs (20-12, No. 9 seed) on Thursday in Wichita, Kansas.

While Gonzaga struggled in mid-January, losing consecutive games to Oregon State and Santa Clara, they rebounded with an 11-2 stretch to close out the season, capped by a West Coast Conference tournament title.

Georgia, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015, had a hot start (14-2) before facing challenges in SEC play. A late-season win over Florida ignited a four-game winning streak, helping secure a spot in March Madness.

With College Basketball Championship Odds shifting, this 8-9 matchup will be a tightly contested battle between two programs looking to advance.

Gonzaga’s Streaks & Star Players

Despite a lower seed than usual (No. 8, lowest since 2016), Gonzaga is eyeing its 10th straight Sweet 16 appearance. The Zags have made the NCAA Tournament 26 consecutive years, trailing only Kansas (35) and Michigan State (27) in active streaks.

Their success comes largely from:

• Ryan Nembhard (NCAA assist leader, 9.8 APG) – 325 assists, just 76 turnovers this season.
• Graham Ike (17.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG) – Dominant force in the paint.

“After a year like this, nothing’s given to you,” said Gonzaga coach Mark Few. “We earned our way into this tournament.”

With John Wooden Award Odds in play, Nembhard’s elite passing and Ike’s inside presence could give Gonzaga the edge.

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Georgia’s Comeback Story Under Mike White

In just three years, Mike White has transformed Georgia from a 6-26 team into an NCAA Tournament squad.

Key players include:

• Asa Newell (15.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG) – Freshman standout and dominant inside presence.
• Silas Demary Jr. (13.4 PPG, 56 made 3s, 54 steals) – Perimeter leader.

“We came to Georgia to rebuild and get to a tournament,” White said. “Now, we prepare for Gonzaga.”

Georgia is battle-tested after playing in the Southeastern Conference, which sent 14 teams to the tournament.

Betting Insights & History

• Gonzaga has won three of the five all-time meetings between the programs.
• Their last matchup was in 2014, when Gonzaga won 88-76 in the NIT Season Tipoff.
• John Wooden Award Odds, College Basketball Championship Odds, and First Four betting lines continue to shift.

For the latest insights, Pick Page, and Odds Page updates, and expert picks, visit the Expert Betting Guide for full tournament analysis.

Final Thoughts

Will Gonzaga extend its Sweet 16 streak, or can Georgia continue its resurgence under Mike White? Expect a high-energy battle in Wichita as both teams look to make a deep tournament run.