The Gonzaga Bulldogs take on the Michigan Wolverines in Las Vegas, NV, in the Players Era Festival championship game. Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT.
Michigan is favored by 1 point on the spread with a moneyline of -110. The total is set at 160.5 points.
Here’s my Gonzaga vs Michigan predictions and college basketball picks for November 26, 2025.
Gonzaga vs Michigan Prediction
My Pick: Gonzaga +1
My Gonzaga vs Michigan best bet is on the Bulldogs to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Gonzaga vs. Michigan Odds
| Gonzaga Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -115 | 160.5 -110o / -110u | -110 |
| Michigan Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -105 | 160.5 -110o / -110u | -110 |
- Gonzaga vs Michigan spread: Michigan -1
- Gonzaga vs Michigan over/under: 160.5 points
- Gonzaga vs Michigan moneyline: Gonzaga -110, Michigan -110
Gonzaga vs Michigan College Basketball Betting Preview
Gonzaga Basketball
Gonzaga has stolen the show in Sin City. The Bulldogs held a seemingly unstoppable Alabama offense in check. Sure, the Tide posted 1.10 PPP, but Labaron Philon Jr. was the main reason why, with his 29 points (most of which came in one-on-one situations).
Mark Few made it a point to add some defensive dogs, and it's shown. Gonzaga brought in a pair of long-armed, athletic wings in Tyon Grant-Foster and Jalen Warley, who both play pivotal roles with their on-ball defense.
Then, when one of them needs a breather, Emmanuel Innocenti will clock in to provide the clamps.
The Zags make everything tough. They boast an elite 21.7% turnover rate (42nd nationally), while holding teams to 25% from 3 (15th nationally) and 44.9% from 2 (39th nationally).
There's no glaring hole in Gonzaga's defense. If Graham Ike goes to blitz a ball-handler with Grant-Foster on their hip, the other Zags are quick enough to recover if Ike can't get back. That's quite the luxury.
On offense, Gonzaga doesn't have a lot of shooters, as it hits just 32% from downtown. That's less of a concern for me since the Bulldogs have the personnel to batter teams on the interior.
Ike is the known name — and he's a possible All-American. He demands double-teams, or else he'll own the paint.
Braden Huff is also a key cog, as he's averaging 15.3 points per game.
It's not always about stopping the first shot with Gonzaga; it's about ending the possession with a rebound. Gonzaga has recorded 11+ offensive rebounds in all four meetings versus high-major foes this season. That's a major boost for the Zags, as they rebound 40% of their misses.
Michigan Basketball
Michigan looked a bit overrated entering the Players' Era Festival. But that narrative went by the wayside in short order, as it recorded a pair of absolute drubbings over San Diego State and Auburn.
Dusty May is all-in on the "jumbo" lineup, and it's played a huge role in Michigan's success.
Scoring on a team that starts an athletic 6-foot-9 forward with a bruising 6-foot-9, 250-pound power forward and a 7-foot-4 center is tough. That shows in the 2-point field goal percentage, as the Wolverines hold teams to 36.5% from that range.
Oh, did I mention that Michigan leads the country in defensive efficiency? Yes, this figures to be a defensive battle.
On offense, the Wolverines attempt 3s on 42% of their field goals, despite not being a good shooting team.
Elliot Cadeau is shooting better this season than in prior campaigns, but I need to see more from him.
The only drawback with Michigan's jumbo lineup is indeed shooting, as Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. can't hit from outside.
It hasn't stung Michigan yet — it shoots 63% from 2 and grabs 38% of its misses — but playing against Gonzaga will be a different test, since the Zags also have length and are elite on the glass.
Gonzaga vs. Michigan Betting Analysis
The biggest difference between Gonzaga and Michigan is that one team can get a bit sloppy, and the other can force turnovers in bunches. Gonzaga loves forcing turnovers to get on the break, and Michigan owns a 17% turnover rate.
The shot-volume battle could be close with how good both are on the glass, so turnovers could be the difference-maker.
I'm going with the Zags here. I trust their ball-handling more than Michigan's, and I think they're the best team in the sport right now.
My Pick: Gonzaga +1
