Kentucky vs Gonzaga Odds, Spread & Picks (Nov. 20)

• Kentucky takes on Gonzaga in a clash of two college basketball heavyweights on Sunday, November 20th
• This is Gonzaga’s first game since a stunning 19-point loss to the Texas Longhorns
• All the Gonzaga vs Kentucky odds can be found below, plus our pick and prediction for this game

You can’t ask for a better college basketball matchup then this. On Sunday, November 20th, the Kentucky Wildcats (3-1, 3-1 ATS) take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs (2-1, 1-2 ATS) with tip off set for 7:30 pm ET in a game that can be seen on ESPN.

Kentucky is currently ranked 4th in the nation, while only the North Carolina Tar Heels sit above Gonzaga in the AP rankings. Regardless of their rankings, both teams have already suffered losses early this season. With this game being played in their home city, Gonzaga are slight 2.5-point favorites in the college basketball odds.

This game will be played at Spokane Arena, which has a seating capacity of over 12,000 instead of Gonzaga’s usual 6,000 seat on-campus “Kennel.” Let’s take a look at the rest of the Kentucky vs Gonzaga odds below while offering you our best bet and prediction for this mouth watering early season college matchup.

Kentucky vs Gonzaga Odds

Odds as of November 19th at FanDuel Sportsbook. Claim the FanDuel Sportsbook promo code to bet on college hoops.

College basketball fans have a marquee early season out-of-conference battle to get excited for when these elite programs go up against one another on Sunday. It’s almost 20 years to the day from the only other time Kentucky and Gonzaga played each other, an 80-72 Wildcats win in the Maui Invitational on November 27th, 2002.

As -146 moneyline favorites, the Bulldogs have an implied win probability of 59.35%, while Kentucky’s implied probability for victory is 45.05% with odds of +122.

Kentucky Wildcats Betting Analysis

Kentucky’s Oscar Tshiebwe missed the Wildcats first couple games of the year while recovering from knee surgery. Last season’s player of the year came off the bench in the Wildcats OT loss to Michigan State, but still poured in 22 points and grabbed 18 rebounds while blocking four shots in 34 minutes of action.

Tshiebwe earned the Wooden Award after averaging 17.4 points, 15.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game in 34 outings last season, becoming the first Division I player to average at least 15 points and 15 rebounds a night since the 1979-80 season. He’ll matchup up against Gonzaga’s Drew Timme in what should be an enticing showdown.

Oscar Tshiebwe checks in for @KentuckyMBB to a standing ovation 🙌

📺 Champions Classic on ESPN pic.twitter.com/Fgi1OgDLVQ

— ESPN (@espn) November 16, 2022

Tshiebwe played just 14 minutes against South Carolina State in anticipation of Sunday’s matchup. His supporting cast appears more than stellar. The Wildcats have five players averaging double-figures and are 23rd in the nation entering Saturday’s action with 88.8 points per game.

Part of the reason the offense has been so successful is because of their deft touch from beyond the arc. Guards CJ Fredrick, Antonio Reeves and Cason Wallace are all shooting at least 40% from long distance with the team shooting at a 42.4% clip overall.

Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Analysis

After losing just four games all of last season, Gonzaga should be concerned about losing two in a row in the opening month of this campaign. Yes, they’ve got the third best odds to win March Madness, but Kentucky is right there with them.

If they want to ensure victory against Kentucky, the Bulldogs will definitely need to shore up their ball-handling which was a major issue in the loss to Texas. Gonzaga turned the ball over 20 times leading to 27 points for the Longhorns in that one.

Texas students chanting “overrated” at Gonzaga. Hasn’t been the finest night for the Zags with 16 turnovers now.

Texas 83-64 Gonzaga 4:49 2nd pic.twitter.com/o6klDeevhu

— TSTV Sports (@TSTVSports) November 17, 2022

Preseason All-American, Drew Timme put up 18 points and nine rebounds in that game, but also turned the ball over five times. Point guard Nolan Hickman suffered an ankle injury late in that defeat and at this point, his status for the matchup with Kentucky is unclear.

Kentucky vs Gonzaga Pick & Prediction

A loss in this one to Kentucky could cause a tumble down the rankings for Gonzaga. Having the advantage of being at home with double the fans in attendance is one of the big reasons they’ve been given the edge in the Sunday college basketball odds.

2022-23 KenPom College Basketball Rankings

These are two of the most offensively proficient teams in the country. They’re both top 10 in adjusted offensive efficiency, but Kentucky is also getting it done on the defensive end as well. Clamping down on Timme will be key to any success the Wildcats might have in this one.

Texas provided a blueprint for success with regards to defending Timme holding him to just 10 shot attempts. The big man took 33 total shots in Gonzaga’s first two games. A well rested Tshiebwe should be more than up to the task. In addition to his offensive skills, he’s the reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Yes, home court advantage is nice, but there’s a scent of a minor upset in this one. Our best bet in the Kentucky vs Gonzaga odds is to pick the Wildcats on the road to win outright in a close one.

Pick: Kentucky Wildcats Moneyline (+122)