UNC to Win but Zags will Cover - (1) North Carolina vs. (4) Gonzaga

Ty Lawson’s toe has filled the anxious minds of Tar Heels betting backers all month. Will he play? Yes. Will he be 100%? Absolutely not. Should you be worried? Definitely. Tyler Hansbrough may be the best player in the country according to the polls, and UNC might be the unfettered favorite to win the tournament, but the Tar Heels face a lofty challenge in the form of Gonzaga tonight in March Madness betting.

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The Gonzaga Bulldogs have reveled being the underdog. It’s how the Washington based school made its name. They were the “team full of white dudes” and the home of Adam Morrison’s tearful college career. The Zags, however, have been on the radar for the betting community with an offense that ranked twelfth in the country, posing 79.0 points per game.

While UNC has its eyes squarely focused on getting past Blake Griffin, their immediate concerns should be on the upstart Bulldogs, and the injury to their point man Ty Lawson. Lawson poses a difficult match for the backcourt of Zaga, and his numbers are crucial to the success of UNC. While sitting out three games, UNC lost to FSU, then crushed Radford in the tournament opener. When Ty came back to face LSU, he dominated the game with 23 points in 31 minutes. Not bad for a guy people are saying is slowed by a toe injury.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (28-5) vs. UNC Tar Heels (30-4)

Friday, March 27th --- FedEx Forum, Memphis --- 9:57 pm EST

NCAA Betting Line: UNC -8 (162.5)

The oddsmakers have made their choice in this one already, lending credence to the idea that UNC will indeed advance. But Gonzaga has made it a habit to be the upset specialist in March Madness. My bet is on Gonzaga coming out firing, en route to pushing the OVER in the first half while UNC holds pace with them while entering the half.

Then it’s the Tyler Hansbrough show. Gonzaga doesn’t have an interior presence that can even match half of what Hansbrough brings to the hardwood. Dominating the offensive and defensive boards will be Hansbrough’s main focus as Ty Lawson that the toe injury ain’t no big deal. That doesn’t mean I’m counting the Zags out, I’m just saying they’re not going to win.

March Madness Free Pick: Gonzaga +8 (OVER)