UNC is coming down from an emotional high of scoring a memorable, come-from-behind victory over rival Duke in the Final Four. For the Tar Heels to collect their seventh NCAA Tournament crown, UNC is going to have to find a way to recollect their emotions and focus on a strong Kansas program. The Tar Heels, for their part, have been playing their best basketball over the past month and look like a different team from when the season started. Let’s take a look at this UNC vs Kansas Betting Analysis.
The Jayhawks won the Big 12 championship and have won all of their games in the NCAA Tournament comfortably. Kansas got out quickly on Villanova before coasting to a double-digit victory to earn its way back to the final. The Jayhawks are back in the championship game for the first time since 2012 and are hoping to win their first crown since 2008.
This game is the peak of betting on March Madness, with two top programs attempting to grab the ultimate prize. Sports betting guides show this matchup will be a close one between two programs that have been playing strong.
Last Games Records
UNC beat Duke 81-77 April 2. The Tar Heels are 29-9. Kansas beat Villanova 81-65 April 2. The Jayhawks are 33-6.
Matchup Information
UNC at Kansas Betting Analysis
UNC Betting Analysis
Tar Heels guard Caleb Love woke up in the second half of the Final Four game against Duke, scoring 22 of his 28 points in the second half. Love, who has scored 20 or more points in three tournament games, most importantly canned a big 3-pointer in the waning seconds to seal the win for UNC. The Tar Heels had four players score 10 or more points and UNC knocked down 10 3-pointers.
UNC also pounded the glass against Duke, holding a 50-41 edge in rebounding. Forward Armando Bacot led the Tar Heels with a game-high 21 rebounds and he scored 11 points. UNC is happiest playing at a blistering pace, scoring 78.6 points per game. UNC also shoots 37.4 percent from the 3-point, which ranks 31st nationally.
The Tar Heels’ defense has been vulnerable this year. UNC allows 72.6 points per game, which ranks 279th nationally and allows opponents to shoot 34.8 percent from the 3-point line, which ranks 256th nationally. However, since the NCAA Tournament started, only Baylor and Duke has scored more than 70 points against the Tar Heels. UNC held UCLA, Marquette and Saint Peter’s to 66 points or less.
The Tar Heels have
Kansas Betting Analysis
Kansas buried Big East champion Villanova in the Final Four with outside shooting. The Jayhawks knocked down 54.2 percent of their shots from the perimeter. That number was considerably higher than the 36.1 percent Kansas usually shoots, which is 66th in the nation.
Kansas forward David McCormack, who ranks 44th nationally by scoring 18.9 points per game, led the Jayhawks in scoring by shooting 83 percent (10-of-12) from the field and scoring a team-high 25 points. Guard Ochai Agbaji made a team-high six 3-pointers and scored 21 points. Kansas forward Jalen Wilson recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
The Jayhawks average 78.6 points per game, which rank 29th in the country. Kansas is also in the top 100 in field goal percentage and 3-point percentage, making 48 and 36.1 percent of their attempts, respectively.
Updates
UNC forward Armando Bacot is questionable for the Tar Heels Monday night. Bacot sprained his ankle in the Tar Heels’ victory against Duke. Bacot did return to play in the game after spraining his ankle but would foul out late in the second half.
- UNC is 21-16-1 against the spread.
- Kansas is 20-18-1 against the spread.
- The over has a record of 22-15 -1 against the total in the Tar Heels’ games.
- The over has a record of 21-18 against the total in the Jayhawks’ games.
- UNC is 16-12 against the spread following a win.
- Kansas is 18-14 against the spread following a win.
UNC at Kansas Betting Preview
March Madness betting odds have Kansas as a four-point favorite. The Jayhawks are -200 on the moneyline, while the Tar Heels are +165. Anyone looking for different kinds of March Madness bets can wager on the over/under, which is set at 152 points.
UNC at Kansas Betting Prediction
This is one of the best possible matchups this NCAA Tournament field could have produced. Both teams are capable of playing at a remarkable pace and don’t shy away from lighting up the scoreboard. The big question for this game is how much will the Tar Heels have left to give following the win over Duke.
For the second time in less than a month, UNC handed Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski a devastating loss in a high-profile game. Now, the Tar Heels have to refocus against a battle-tested Kansas team that has been challenged thoroughly while playing in a deep league schedule against the rest of the Big 12.
Betting guides show this is the type of game that has a chance to be a classic. Expect the Jayhawks to win their fourth NCAA title and squeak out a cover against the spread.
Bet Kansas -4.
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