Kent State vs. Gonzaga Prediction and Odds for Monday, December 5 (Can Bulldogs Find Final Four Level?)

We aren't used to seeing this from the Gonzaga Bulldogs, a team with three losses in early December.

Typically, the Bulldogs are at the top of the AP Poll each Monday, on their way to a one or two loss regular season and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. However, this year, the Bulldogs have stumbled through a difficult schedule with three losses already, albeit to Final Four contenders in Texas, Purdue and Baylor.

They get a reprieve of sorts on Monday night as they host Kent State from the MAC. However, the Golden Flashes are a frisky group, losing to Houston in a true road game by five points a few weeks back.

Can Gonzaga get on track Monday, or will Kent State put another scare into a Final Four hopeful?

Here are the odds:

Kent State vs. Gonzaga Odds, Spread and Total

Kent State vs. Gonzaga Prediction and Pick

This game may be another tight one for the Bulldogs, who are going to struggle with the high ball pressure defense from the Golden Flashes.

Kent State is turning foes over at the sixth highest rate in the country, over 27% of their defensive possessions. This is a problem for Gonzaga, who is not a strong ball handling group, unlike prior years, outside the top 200 in turnover rate.

The Bulldogs can score at will, 19th in effective field goal percentage this season, but the Golden Flashes compact defense that stifles opponents at the rim (12th best two-point defense in the country) can do a fine job against them.

On offense, Kent State is a balanced offense that's strength is from the perimeter, shootign 37% from beyond the arc this season. They are strong with the ball and shoot free throws well, 75% on the year.

Kent State is comfortable playing fast, they are 61st in average offensive possession length, and their turnover driven defense can give issues to a Gonzaga defense that is still looking for an identity at point guard.

After playing Baylor on Friday night and losing a thriller, I'll grab the points with one of the better MAC teams who have competed against elite foes already.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.