Alcorn State vs Gonzaga Odds and Picks

Odds as of November 14th at DraftKings

Some key pieces from Gonzaga’s team that lost in the national championship game are gone — including top-five pick Jalen Suggs.

But with Timme and point guard Andrew Nembhard back, the Zags are on a mission this season to get back to the title game and win it.

Meantime, the Braves are on an extended road trip to start the season, playing their first 16 games away from home. Theydon’t play at the Whitney Complex until January 15th.

Head coach Landon Bussie’s group has suffered three losses out of the gate.

Gimme Timme

The 6-foot-10 junior was brilliant Saturday, taking advantage of the Longhorns’ small lineup early and scoring 11 of the Zags’ first 13 points. He had 22 in the first half, which ended with a 47-27 Gonzaga lead and witnessed Timme outscoring the Horns’ starting lineup.

Drew Timme is the first Gonzaga player with 30 points against an AP top-5 team since Adam Morrison at No. 4 Memphis on Dec. 27, 2005. pic.twitter.com/uMblaSdwBK

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 14, 2021

Timme may not be the most athletic or intimidating figure in college basketball, but he’s elite in his own way.

He’s a savvy (and swaggy) throwback with the nearest comp possibly being a young Kevin McHale. He seems to know all the angles and myriad ways to find his points near the rim.

Don’t forget: Texas is a tough team gilded with experience and strength coached by one of the most respected leaders in the game in Chris Beard. But thanks to Timme, UT was overmatched Saturday. Don’t be surprised if you see a repeat performance Monday.

The Name is Chet

The nation’s No.1 recruit Chet Holmgren (two points, five rebounds) was mostly passive against Texas. He looked like a freshman playing in his first significant matchup. That was hardly the case against Dixie State in his collegiate debut last Tuesday.

Chet Holmgren literally did it ALL in his debut with @ZagMBB 💪

‣ 14 Pts
‣ 13 Reb
‣ 6 Ast
‣ 7 Blk
‣ 4-6 FG pic.twitter.com/8OTdESfiD9

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 10, 2021

Timme only had 11 against the Trailblazers Tuesday and it seems unlikely most teams will be able to stop both players when they’re on the court together.

While Saturday’s outing may not have been a great offensive effort, Holmgren proved he could make an impact on the game without scoring.

The Chet Holmgren show has arrived at Gonzaga 🔥

(via @ZagMBB)pic.twitter.com/xIi2OZgO1E

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 10, 2021

Texas was always slow to double Timme, despite his strong start, because of Holmgren’s presence. But the skill around him will make it difficult to double him, and that should also create opportunities for Holmgren and others.

Holmgren’s freakish skillset is off the charts. Look for him to continue to gain confidence as the season wears on. That starts again Monday against the Braves.

Fight Like a Brave

Alcorn State’s trip to the beautiful Pacific Northwest has been anything but.  Bussie’s club suffered an 85-67 loss to Washington State in the season opener Tuesday, then a pair of heartbreakers: 69-66 at Seattle and 62-58 at Portland.

Now, all the Braves have before them is Gonzaga.

Coast to coast drive and tough lay from Byron Joshua of Alcorn State. pic.twitter.com/egAyQCTqgz

— Aram Cannuscio (@AC__Hoops) November 9, 2021

The 5-foot-11 Byron Joshua is Alcorn’s leading scorer so far this year, averaging 12 points a gam. Against three of the SWAC’s stingiest defenses, Joshua, who hadn’t played more than 10 minutes in any of his prior five games, averaged 25.3 points.

Justin Thomas and Oddyst Walker also return to the Braves’ backcourt, bringing stability to the group. One troubling stat: Alcorn State’s half-court unit simply was not good last season.

The Braves allowed the highest 2PT FG% against SWAC foes last year. Bussie utilized a myriad of wings at the 4 and 5 positions. While that may have worked at Prairie View, it may have stretching a few players too far outside their comfort zone at Alcorn State.

That said, Alcorn State is clearly well-coached — as evidenced by close defeats in the last two outings. Expect to see a disciplined, structured outfit at the McCarthey Center Monday.

But will it be enough to keep the game within the spread? With this game coming at the end of a four-game, seven-day swing a long way from home, I’m fading the underdogs here.

Pick: Gonzaga -39.5 (-110)