Xavier Musketeers vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Odds, March Madness Betting Pick

The top-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs (35-1) have never been in a better position to make their first-ever Final Four appearance than they have going into Saturday's West Regional Final as large favorites against the 11th-seeded Xavier Musketeers (24-13).

The Bulldogs have won the past three meetings with the Musketeers, who are coming off an upset of the second-seeded Arizona Wildcats as 7.5-point underdogs.

Point spread: The Bulldogs opened as nine-point favorites; the total is at 147, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)

March Madness betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 73.1-62.6 Bulldogs (College basketball picks  on every game)

Why Xavier can cover the spread

What more can be said about Xavier's run to the Elite Eight after coming back from an eight-point deficit in the final four minutes to beat the Wildcats 73-71? The Musketeers have proven they can win close games as well as blow out solid opponents like the third-seeded Florida State Seminoles (91-66) in the second round.

They were 7.5-point underdogs in both games yet still prevailed in different ways. Xavier has covered the spread in seven straight now according to the OddsShark College Basketball Database.

Why Gonzaga can cover the spread

Gonzaga could not have gotten a much easier path to the NCAA title game after Xavier stunned Arizona on Thursday. Not only do the Bulldogs have the luxury of facing a No. 11 seed here, but they also would not have to battle a No. 1 or 2 seed in the Final Four, making them likely favorites there as well.

Head coach Mark Few simply needs to keep his players from looking past the Musketeers and continue playing the same kind of smart basketball that has resulted in only one loss thus far. Gonzaga was able to rally past the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Sweet 16, continuing to build the team's confidence.

Smart betting pick

The Musketeers have certainly found their groove at the right time, but it was not long ago that they were suffering through a six-game losing streak, nearly costing them an invitation to the Big Dance.

The Bulldogs have obviously been the more consistent team throughout the entire season, earning more wins than anyone else up to this point. Xavier has found a way to top the No. 2 and 3 seeds in the West, but Gonzaga will be too tough and advance to the Final Four with a double-digit victory to cover the spread at online betting sites.

March Madness betting trends

Gonzaga is 14-1 SU in its last 15 games with one day off between games.

The total has gone under in six of Gonzaga's last eight games.

The total has gone under in six of Xavier's last seven games.

All college basketball lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.