The wait is finally over. After a decade of missing the NCAA Tournament, Georgia is back in the Big Dance and will take on 8-seed Gonzaga at 4:35 pm EST.
While making the NCAA Tournament is reason to celebrate already, Mike White and the Bulldogs believe they can make a run. Georgia fans also have a lot of faith in this team as well, but that is where the confidence ends as the rest of the country, Vegas included, do not like Georgia's chances on Thursday.
Georgia basketball vs. Gonzaga final odds
Georgia enters the first round of the NCAA Tournament against Gonzaga as a 6.5 point underdog, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The over-under for this game is set at 138.5 point as well. ESPN's Matchup Predictor also favors Gonzaga as they only give Georgia a 28.6 percent chance to win this game.
Georgia basketball vs. Gonzaga prediction
While the 8-seed vs. 9-seed matchup is routinely one of the better first round matchups on paper, that doesn't seem like the case in Georgia's game. While UGA and their fans are very confident they can come away with a win against Gonzaga, the rest of the public isn't giving Georgia much of a chance at all.
Maybe that's because Georgia hasn't been to the tournament since 2015 while Gonzaga has made the Sweet 16 nine years in a row. Or maybe it's because Gonzaga is ranked inside the top 10 of the NET rankings even though they are an 8-seed. Regardless, not many people are giving Georgia a chance.
This could play right into Georgia's hand as that extra motivation they need to win this game. However, their inexperience might just be the downfall for this team this season.
This game will not be a blowout like some experts think, but it is a little difficult imagining a world where the Bulldogs are able to beat this Gonzaga team who have proven year in and year out to be elite in this tournament.
Prediction: Gonzaga wins 77-73