1* free play on GONZ@SYR to go OVER the total...

The Gonzaga Bulldogs will be a favorite in their Sweet 16 match-up versus Syracuse. Gonzaga is coming off a pair of impressive double-digits wins over Seton Hall and Utah, and they look poised to keep the ball rolling against a Syracuse team that many feel didn't deserve to be in the tournament in the first place. The Orange are coming off a blowout win over Middle Tennessee in in their last game, but they can expect a much tougher game against a superior Bulldogs team tonight. The total for tonight's game looks a little low, and I expect both teams to get their fair share of points.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Previous History - The Orange came into the tournament as losers of five of six. They did not play particularly well defensively in those games, surrendering an average of 71.5 points in those games. They are going to have a tough time stopping a Gonzaga team that comes in averaging 83 points on 51.8 percent shooting over it's last five games.

2. Three-Point Shooting - Both teams are a threat from beyond the arc, and Syracuse was 8-of-20 (40%) from three-point range in their win over Middle Tennessee. The Bulldogs are hitting 42.6 percent of their three-point attempts over their last five games.

3. X-Factor - The over is 17-7 in the Bulldogs last 24 NCAA Tournament games, and the Orange have gone over in 12 of their last 15 games at neutral sites.

Selection: This is a play on Gonzaga/Syracuse to go OVER the total (Free)