Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Auburn Tigers – College Basketball, November 27, 2020

The No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs are the biggest favorites to win the Fort Myers Tip-Off that will be played at Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Florida. Alongside the Bulldogs and Auburn Tigers, the Kansas Jayhawks and St. Joseph’s Hawks are also participating. Actually, Gonzaga is facing Kansas on Thursday, while Auburn will meet St. Joseph’s. Take a look at my Bulldogs vs. Tigers betting pick.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs reached the NCAA Tournament 22 years in a row but made it to the Final Four just once, and it was in 2017 when they lost the National Championship to the North Carolina Tar Heels. Another Final Four appearance is expected for the Zags this time around. Forward Filip Petrusev, who was Gonzaga’s top scorer and rebounder last season, joined the Serbian team Mega Soccerbet, while another forward, Killian Tillie, moved to the NBA and joined the Memphis Grizzlies. The Bulldogs had the best record in America last season, 31-2 (15-1 in conference play), and they won the West Coast Conference with a win over the Saint Mary’s Gaels.

Senior guard Aaron Cook came from the Southern Illinois Salukis and will represent a major reinforcement. Senior forward Corey Kispert averaged 13.9 ppg and 4.0 rpg and he will be a go-to guy this season with Cook, while they will have help from guard Andrew Nembhard, who came for the Florida Gators, where he spent the previous two years and averaged 11.2 ppg, 5.6 apg, and 3.0 rpg in 2019/20.

Last year, the Bulldogs were the most efficient team in college basketball and averaged 87.4 points per game, 40.1 rebounds per game (15th), and 16.7 assists per game (7th), while they allowed 67.8 points per contest (135th).

Traveling in style ✈️ pic.twitter.com/rDhF9Oer3O

— Gonzaga Basketball (@ZagMBB) November 24, 2020

The Auburn Tigers have been a consistent participant of the NCAA Tournament in the last three years and now are hoping to secure their fourth appearance in a row. With a 25-6 record last season (12-6 in conference play), they ended the regular season behind the Kentucky Wildcats, while the Southeastern Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament was canceled due to the spread of COVID-19.

Auburn was left without top scorer Samir Doughty, who averaged 16.7 ppg last year, Isaac Okoro moved to the Cleveland Cavaliers, while guard J’Von McCormick and center Austin Wiley also left. The Tigers will be playing without a single senior this season, and it’s going to be hard to make it to the NCAA Tournament.

Last season, the Tigers averaged 78.0 points per game (25th), 40.8 rebounds per game (8th), and 12.8 assists per game (200th), while they allowed 70.4 points per contest (205th).

From the arrival to the moment his name was called to the celebration, it was a draft night to remember.

“It’s truly a blessing.” – @isaacokoro303
#WarEagle x #NBADraft https://t.co/NU9ot6mR0o

— Auburn Basketball (@AuburnMBB) November 21, 2020

Both sides lost some crucial players in the offseason, but it seems that Auburn lost much more, and it’s going to be hard to expect them to create problems for the Zags on Friday. Gonzaga has a stronger side with a couple of excellent senior and some serious juniors such as Joel Ayayi, so I am pretty sure they will secure a win without trouble here. I am backing the Bulldogs to cover the spread and score a bunch of baskets.