Baylor vs. Gonzaga: Picks, Predictions and Odds

The 2024-2025 NCAA men’s basketball season tips off Monday, and the marquee match takes place late out west.

No. 6 Gonzaga, who has made the NCAA tournament each of the last 25 years, hosts No. 8 Baylor, looking to make its fifth straight trip to the dance, at Spokane Arena in a rematch of the 2021 title game won handily by the Bears, 86-70. 

Read Below to see our experts’ predictions for this impressive opening night matchup. 

Baylor vs. Gonzaga betting picks and predictions

Gonzaga -6.5 (-140)

The two teams have met just once since that title tilt, a 64-63 Baylor victory in Sioux Falls, South Dakota during the 2022-23 season. 

The Bulldogs return seven of their top eight performers from last year’s team, which reached at least the Sweet 16 for the ninth consecutive season. That includes Nolan Hickman (14 ppg), Graham Ike (16.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg), Ryan Nembhard (12.6 ppg), and Braden Huff (9.3 ppg). Each of those four players are garnering mention for West Coast Conference and national honors. The team also added All-WCC transfer Michael Ajayi (17.2 ppg, 9.9 rpg) from Pepperdine. 

Meanwhile, Baylor has brought in several freshmen, including Big 12 Freshman of the Year candidate VJ Edgecombe, and a host of transfers, including Miami’s Norchad Omier (All-ACC, 17 ppg, 10 rpg) and Duke’s Jeremy Roach (All-ACC, 14 ppg). Langston Love (11 ppg) and Jayden Nunn (10.5 ppg) are the leading returning scorers. The Bears are looking to make their fifth straight NCAA tournament, and are also trying to get out of the first weekend for the first time since winning the championship in 2021. 

Gonzaga has gone 18-2 straight up in its last 20 home games. Even though Baylor is 9-0 against the spread in its last nine road games, and 7-0 straight up in its last seven November contests, our experts are going with the home team with the veteran roster to cover the 6.5-point spread.

Total Under 155.5 points (+100)

There is no shortage of talent on the floor tomorrow night. With Omier and Roach pacing the new-look Bears and Gonzaga featuring newcomer Ajayi to go with Nolan HIckman, Graham Ike, and Ryan Nembhard, several potential NBA players will feature on the court in Spokane.

But with this being a season opener, and the intensity swirling, look for some struggles offensively early. And the two teams have played to the under in four of their last six contests. This should be a tightly contested game throughout, but our experts expect the total to come in under 155.5 points. 

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NCAAB on site.

Baylor vs. Gonzaga odds

Baylor	+200 ML
Gonzaga	-245 ML
Spread	Gonzaga -6.5
Total Points	O/U 155.5

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.