In the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the Gonzaga Bulldogs (8-seed) are set to face the Georgia Bulldogs (9-seed) on Thursday, March 20, at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. The game is scheduled to tip off at 1:35 p.m. PT (4:35 p.m. ET) and will be broadcast on TBS.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga enters the tournament with a 25-8 overall record, including a 14-4 mark in the West Coast Conference (WCC), culminating in a WCC championship victory over Saint Mary’s. This appearance marks Gonzaga’s 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament berth, the third-longest active streak in the nation. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 24 in the AP Top 25, No. 8 in the NCAA NET rankings, and No. 9 in KenPom’s efficiency ratings.
Offensively, Gonzaga boasts one of the nation’s most potent attacks, averaging 86.6 points per game, second only to Alabama. This high-octane offense is orchestrated by point guard Ryan Nembhard, who leads the nation with 9.8 assists per game. The team’s assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.09 and average of 19.7 assists per game both rank first nationally. Five players average double figures in scoring:
- Graham Ike: 17.1 points per game (ppg), 7.5 rebounds per game (rpg)
- Khalif Battle: 13.2 ppg
- Nolan Hickman: 11.0 ppg
- Braden Huff: 10.8 ppg
- Ryan Nembhard: 10.8 ppg
Defensively, Gonzaga emphasizes controlling the pace and leveraging their offensive efficiency to outscore opponents. Their experience and consistent tournament success make them a formidable opponent.
Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015, under the guidance of head coach Mike White. The Bulldogs hold a 20-12 overall record and an 8-10 record in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They are ranked No. 33 in the NCAA NET rankings.
Leading Georgia is freshman forward Asa Newell, who averages 15.3 ppg and 6.8 rpg. Newell, a 6-foot-11 former five-star recruit from Montverde Academy, was heavily pursued by Gonzaga during his recruitment. Sophomore guard Silas Demary Jr. contributes 13.4 ppg and has been on a scoring surge, averaging 19.8 ppg over his last nine contests.
Georgia’s defense has been a cornerstone of their success, ranking 23rd nationally in free throw rate against top 100 teams. This defensive discipline could be pivotal against Gonzaga’s prolific offense.
Matchup Analysis
This 8-versus-9 seed matchup is anticipated to be closely contested. Gonzaga opened as a 4.5-point favorite, with the spread moving to 6.5 points in their favor. The over/under is set at 150.5 points. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Gonzaga a 71.3% chance to advance.
Key Factors to Watch
- Pace of Play: Gonzaga thrives in high-scoring games, while Georgia may aim to control the tempo to limit Gonzaga’s offensive rhythm.
- Rebounding Battle: Gonzaga’s Graham Ike leads the team in rebounding, but Georgia’s Asa Newell’s versatility could impact the boards and defensive matchups.
- Turnover Margin: Gonzaga’s nation-leading assist-to-turnover ratio reflects their offensive discipline, which could be decisive against Georgia’s defense.