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The Gonzaga Bulldogs are a buzzsaw destroying everything in its path in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Mark Few’s talented squad has reached the Final Four without even breaking a sweat. Gonzaga won all four of its tournament games by 16 points or more, including a 19-point drubbing of USC in the Elite 8 in which they never trailed once.

It’s been a historic season for the undefeated Bulldogs, and they set yet another record this week without even playing a game. Gonzaga opened as a 14-point betting favorite against UCLA this Saturday, which makes them the largest Final Four favorite in NCAA Tournament history.

Any takers on UCLA with the points? Yeah, didn’t think so.

Gonzaga’s historic season

Gonzaga opened as a 14-point favorite against UCLA this Saturday, making them the largest Final Four favorite in NCAA Tournament history.
The Gonzaga Bulldogs celebrate punching their ticket to the Final Four | Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Gonzaga entered the 2021 college basketball season as the favorite to cut down the nets this April. The Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 in the preseason, but no one expected just how dominant this team would be from the opening tip.

With veterans Corey Kispert, Drew Timme, and Joel Ayayi returning to the team, plus five-star recruit Jalen Suggs and Florida transfer Andrew Nembhard joining the fold, the Zags immediately clicked right out of the gate.

The Bulldogs started off their season with convincing wins against Kansas, Auburn, West Virginia, Iowa, and Virginia. Only one of which was by single digits. Gonzaga wanted to prove early on it could hang with the big boys this year, but instead, it proved that the big boys couldn’t hang with the Zags.

The Bulldogs finished the regular season a perfect 24-0. They cleaned up in the West Coast Conference tournament with two more double-digit wins to solidify themselves as the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Gonzaga only played one single-digit game all season. The Zags are just the fifth NCAA team to finish the regular season with an undefeated record since 1976. Neither of the previous four won a national title. Will this be the year?

The Bulldogs have continued their dominance into the NCAA Tournament

If you had Gonzaga making it to the Final Four in your March Madness bracket, you’ve had a stress-free past couple of weeks. The Bulldogs have continued their regular-season dominance into the NCAA Tournament, winning four straight games by 16 or more points to advance to the Final Four.

Gonzaga started off with a ridiculous 43-point win against poor Norfolk State, handled Oklahoma’s hot shooting to eventually win by 16, settled in against Creighton to triumph by 18, and dominated USC from start to finish in a 19-point win.

Now, they get a spunky UCLA team that has Cinderella’d its way from the First Four to the Final Four.

Gonzaga opens as the largest Final Four favorite ever

Gonzaga is still a few days away from meeting UCLA on the court, but the Bulldogs have already made Final Four history. The Zags opened as 14-point favorites against the Bruins on Saturday, which is the largest Final Four spread in NCAA Tournament history.

Gonzaga would’ve covered a 14-point spread in each of their first four games in March Madness. The Bulldogs are also 4-0 against the spread so far in the tournament. Does that change on Saturday, or will the Zags continue to roll ATS?

Best in NCAA
Staff Writer

Jack Dougherty

Writing professionally since 2015, Jack Dougherty spent six years as a sportswriter with publications such as GoPSUSports.com, the Centre Daily Times, and the Associated Press before joining Sportscasting in 2020. He covers the NBA, the NFL, and the world of golf extensively and has added expertise on any team located in or around his hometown of Philadelphia. Yes, that includes the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Philadelphia Phillies.

When Jack isn’t writing about sports, he’s watching them or playing them as he regularly heads to the gym for some pickup basketball or the golf course to hit the links. He’s also an avid participant in the sports betting scene who worked at a casino sportsbook for a year and learned the ins and outs of the industry before bringing his expertise to Sportscasting with one excellent gambling recommendation after another.