Above all, one program will win its first ever national championship Monday night. Baylor and Gonzaga are not traditional college basketball blue-blood programs. Indeed, the Bulldogs and Bears are “new money” with the college basketball odds. Both programs represent a changing of the guard in college hoops. Name brand programs like Kentucky, Duke, North Carolina, and Kansas weren’t serious contenders. Instead, college basketball has a new breed of power teams. Along the same lines, Mark Few (Gonzaga) and Scott Drew (Baylor) are new premier coaches. Monday’s national championship game is emblematic of college basketball’s changing dynamics.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Baylor Bears Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Monday, April 5, 2021, 9:20 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Gonzaga vs. Baylor TV Coverage: | CBS |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor | +4½ (-110) | 159 (-110) | +170 |  |
| Gonzaga | -4½ (-110) | 159 (-110) | -200 | |
| ||||
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Baylor Bears SBG Odds Overview
On this occasion, Gonzaga is the bigger sportsbook brand. In 2017 the Bulldogs lost the national championship game to North Carolina. Since then, the Zags have been a perennial top-ten program. Gonzaga emerged on the national scene as something of a Cinderella two decades ago. To show, the Bulldogs were famous for scoring early-round March Madness upsets. But it took a long time for Gonzaga to climb the ranks into power status finally. By contrast, Baylor is more of a new national power. One year ago, the Bears were considered national championship material. COVID-19 blocked that bid.
A Mark of Excellence that Few Saw Coming
Gonzaga didn’t make the Sweet Sixteen until 1999. In fact, they made the Elite Eight that year. But it took until 2015 before the Bulldogs returned to Elite Eight Status. Since that time, Gonzaga has made four Elite Eights. This year marks their second Final Four and national championship game.
Specifically, Mark Few took over the Gonzaga program for the 1999-2000 season. Methodically, Few built on that first Elite Eight run. While the buildout was not quick, it was rock solid. Nobody believed that Gonzaga could sustain success at a national level. Especially because of their membership in the West Coast Conference. Few kept the faith, and recruits took notice. Now, Gonzaga can have their pick of five-star recruits. The nation’s best players seek out Gonzaga instead of Few having to beg them for an interview. In turn, this is a program built to last.
Great Scott Builds Power Out of Ashes
On the whole, it’s impossible to imagine the disaster that Scott Drew walked into at Baylor in 2003. Drew took over a program that may as well have been serving an NCAA Death Penalty. Baylor literally had a player murdered as part of that pre-Drew scandal. Fortunately for BU and Drew, the Baylor administration was patient. To summarize, it took Drew five seasons to get Baylor into the Big Dance. And then came a pair of Elite Eight runs in 2010 and 2012. In like manner to Gonzaga, the program took off from there. And now the nation’s top recruits come calling.
2021 National Championship Game – Baylor vs. Gonzaga Marks New Era
Fashion how Monday’s matchup with the College basketball odds is in stark contrast to football. College basketball is justifiably ripped for legitimate reasons. But to its credit, new powers can emerge. And on Monday, Baylor or Gonzaga will wear the crown for the first time!