I like WEST VIRGINIA +8.5 in this one. Gonzaga's stock has never been higher, and it's the perfect time to hit the sell button. Before the season started, Gonzaga coach Mark Few was cautioning folks that they could get off to a bumpy start due to the fact they are starting a freshman point guard (Jalen Suggs). Fast forward two games into their season, and the pundits have the Zags winning the title and Suggs penciled into the NBA Hall of Fame. Not so fast. This is the game where Suggs will look like a freshman. Gonzaga relies on its big men in the frontcourt to make things easier for their guards. This won't work against the Mountaineers, who have an all world defensive front down low in Oscar Tshiebwe, Derek Culver, and Gabe Osabuohien. The pressure will be on Suggs, and while extremely talented, he simply doesn't have enough experience, especially against a coach like Huggins, who is known for making things tough on opponents' ball handlers. Huggins even said in his press conference that he wasn't too concerned with Gonzaga's frontcourt. West Virginia hasn't been making shots yet, but Huggins believes the team's shooting improved during the offseason. Finally, keep in mind Bob Huggins made this game happen. Gonzaga was supposed to play Tennessee in this match-up. When Tennessee backed out, Huggins personally called his contacts at ESPN to make the game happen. That should tell you something.
OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION: WEST VIRGINIA +8.5
CBB YTD Record: 1-1