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Gonzaga vs USC: 2021 NCAA Tournament game preview, TV schedule, odds

By Tristan Freeman

Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Andrew Nembhard (3) lays in a dunk during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports
Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Andrew Nembhard (3) lays in a dunk during the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament on Sunday, March 28, 2021, at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/IndyStar via USA TODAY Sports /
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The Gonzaga Bulldogs are just one win away from reaching the Final Four for just the second time ever. Can the USC Trojans stop them in their tracks?

TV schedule: Tuesday, March 30th, 7:15 pm ET. TBS

Arena: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana

Line (via Oddshark): Gonzaga (-9.5)

Once the West Region was announced for the 2021 NCAA Tournament, all eyes were on the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Unbeaten and the No. 1 overall seed, the question for the team wasn’t whether they would make it out of the region, but rather if the Bulldogs were going to break a sweat in the process. However, Gonzaga hasn’t even been the most impressive program from the region to this date.

That would be USC, who came into the NCAA Tournament as a potential “darkhorse”, due to having star freshman and future top-3 NBA Draft pick Evan Mobley. However, the supporting cast for the Trojans has stepped up in a major way in these past few games, including in the first weekend against both Drake and Kansas.

In the Sweet 16 matchup versus fellow Pac-12 foe Oregon, USC’s zone defense and shooting proved to be too much all game. The Mobley brothers were good on both ends, combining for 23 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists last night. But the stars were Isaiah White (22 points), and  Tahj Eaddy (20), who combined for seven made three-pointers in the 82-68 win.

But the Trojans now face the ultimate test in the Gonzaga Bulldogs. They’re coming off an 18-point victory over Creighton, led by 22 points from Drew Timme and 17 points and eight assists from Andrew Nembhard. It’s another double-digit victory for a team and offense that simply looks unstoppable.

Of course, the Trojans will be a unique test for them as well. They’re the No. 1 team in the country in two-point defense, led by elite size throughout the rotation. It won’t be easy for Gonzaga to score inside and things could get tough for them against that 2-3 zone, as Oregon found out the hard way. But zones can be carved out by the right team and the Bulldogs are arguably the best passing team in the nation and they can hit three-point shots too.

Next. 13 teams in play for Fatts Russell. dark

On the other side, the guards for USC will have to match up with the likes of Nembhard, Jalen Suggs, and Joel Ayayi. That advantage will certainly go to the Bulldogs. If they can avoid the Mobley brothers from going off, this game will be theirs to lose.

Prediction: Gonzaga 80, USC 67