The NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament kicks off with a first-round game between the Kennesaw State Owls and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. This game takes place at the Moda Center in Portland, OR. Fans can tune in on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET on TBS.
Kennesaw State enters the tournament as a 14 seed. They finished the regular season with a 21-13 overall record and a 13-10 record in Conference USA. The Owls have been on a winning streak, defeating Louisiana Tech, Sam Houston, and Western Kentucky in their recent games.
Gonzaga, ranked #12 in the AP poll, holds the 3 seed in the tournament. The Bulldogs completed their regular season with a 30-3 overall record and a 14-2 record in the West Coast Conference. They recently won against Santa Clara and Oregon State, but lost to Saint Mary’s in their last three games.
Gonzaga Preview
The Gonzaga Bulldogs hold the #12 spot in the AP rankings. They play in the West Coast Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they had a strong start. They beat Georgia 89-68 in the first round. However, they lost to Houston 76-81 in the second round.
In the 2026 regular season, the Bulldogs have an impressive record of 30-3. Their conference record stands at 14-2. They have shown strong performance at home. Recent games include wins against Santa Clara and Oregon State. They lost to Saint Mary’s in an away game.
The Bulldogs score an average of 85.1 points per game. Their field goal percentage is 51.0, ranking 5th. They also average 18.3 assists per game, which is 13th. On defense, they average 8.5 steals per game.
Graham Ike is a key player for the Bulldogs. He averages 19.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Tyon Grant-Foster contributes with 11.2 points per game. Mario Saint-Supéry also adds 8.6 points and 3 assists per game. These players are vital to the team’s success.
Kennesaw State Preview
The Kennesaw State Owls are part of Conference USA. In the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 21 wins and 13 losses. Their conference record was 13 wins and 10 losses.
In recent games, the Owls won against Louisiana Tech Bulldogs with a score of 71-60. RJ Johnson scored 13 points, while Amir Taylor added 17 points. Trey Simpson contributed with 6 points and 8 rebounds.
Against Sam Houston Bearkats, the Owls won 79-73. RJ Johnson led with 20 points, and Amir Taylor scored 23 points. Frankquon Sherman added 17 points and 7 rebounds.
The Owls also secured a win over Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 96-87. Trey Simpson scored 26 points, and Frankquon Sherman had 19 points and 10 rebounds. RJ Johnson contributed with 18 points and 6 assists.
Statistical Breakdown for Gonzaga vs Kennesaw State
The game between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Kennesaw State Owls will be shaped by key stats. Gonzaga’s strong scoring and high field goal percentage could give them an edge. They average 85.1 points per game and have a field goal percentage of 51.0. Kennesaw State also scores well, with 83.4 points per game. However, their field goal percentage is lower at 44.9. Rebounding will be important, with both teams averaging around 39 rebounds per game. Gonzaga’s defense might have an advantage with more steals per game.
- Gonzaga Points Per Game: 85.1 (20th)
- Gonzaga Field Goal Percentage: 51.0 (5th)
- Kennesaw State Points Per Game: 83.4 (37th)
- Kennesaw State Field Goal Percentage: 44.9 (213th)
- Gonzaga Rebounds Per Game: 39.9 (35th)
- Kennesaw State Rebounds Per Game: 39.6 (40th)
- Gonzaga Steals Per Game: 8.5
- Kennesaw State Steals Per Game: 6.9
Betting Insights
The game between Kennesaw State Owls and Gonzaga Bulldogs offers intriguing betting angles. Kennesaw State has shown strength against the spread, especially as underdogs. Gonzaga, on the other hand, has a solid straight-up record but struggles to cover the spread. Here are the top betting trends to consider for this game:
- Kennesaw State is 3-0 ATS in their last 3 games.
- Kennesaw State is 13-6 ATS as underdogs.
- Gonzaga is 9-1 SU in their last 10 games.
- Kennesaw State is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- Gonzaga is 2-1 O/U in their last 3 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Gonzaga vs Kennesaw State
The Gonzaga Bulldogs have shown strong performance this season. They have a high scoring average and a strong field goal percentage. Their home record is impressive, and they have key players like Graham Ike leading the way. This gives them a solid chance to win against Kennesaw State.
Kennesaw State has had a decent season with some strong wins. They have been good against the spread, especially as underdogs. Players like RJ Johnson and Amir Taylor have been key contributors. However, their lower field goal percentage might be a challenge against Gonzaga’s defense.
Considering the stats and recent performances, Gonzaga is likely to win. Their scoring ability and home advantage make them the favorites. Kennesaw State might cover the spread, given their recent success as underdogs.
- Our Free Prediction: Kennesaw State +20.5
