Pedro Oliveira
We are already in the NCAA National Final, the defining game of the college tournament, and we have a must-see match between the University of North Carolina and the University of Kansas. The Tar Heels put on an absolute show taking Coach K and Duke University to the final seconds, winning in dramatic fashion by a score of 81-77.
The Jayhawks slaughtered the very correct and relentless Villanova University, despite the Wildcats’ efforts to come back after a period with excellent three-point shooting, the talent of Kansas came to the fore and showed that in a matter of minutes they can destroy any team that is put in front of them. With a score of 81-65 the Jayhawks are in the national final for the first time since 2012.
Only one of them will be the March Madness champion and the champion of the entire nation, the best team in the United States Who will be the chosen one?
Picks and Predictions for the North Carolina Tar Heels vs Kansas Jayhawks NCAA Basketball National Championship Game on April 4
- Where: Caesars Superdome – New Orleans, Louisiana
- When: Monday, April 04, 09:20 PM ET
- Betting Line: North Carolina Tar Heels (+4) vs Kansas Jayhawks (-4)
North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 29-9
- Conference Record: 15-5
- Spread: +4
- Over/Under: Over 152
- Moneyline: +155
The Tar Heels can make history by becoming just the second team to be seeded eighth and win the national championship since Villanova University did it for the first and only time in 1985. North Carolina’s offensive trend has continued thus far, winning the scoring battle against perhaps the most individually talented team in the nation in the form of the Duke Blue Devils.
But another key aspect of the entire game will be who dominates rebounding, and the Tar Heels have names to give the fight to the most complete and dominant team ever seen in March Madness. Last night was not Armando Bacot’s best offensive display, but he had 21 rebounds to his credit, and is by far the best rebounder in the tournament. Couple that with Caleb Love’s excellent offensive consistency (28 points vs Duke), this duo has everything to cause nightmares for the Jayhawks defense.
However, Kansas is such a solid group that they could even win with North Carolina having a good night in rebounding and with their arsenal of three-pointers. The Tar Heels game is going to have to be as close to perfect as possible, as they face the most complete opponent in the entire competition and on the biggest stage of all. It’s no easy task but this team has had it all uphill for several rounds now and they have come out of each one alive.
Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 33-6
- Conference Record: 14-4
- Spread: -4
- Over/Under: Under 152
- Moneyline: -180
Although Remy Martin has not performed well in the last two games, Ochai Agbaji (21 points, 6 three-pointers) and David McCormack (25 points, 9 rebounds) are in the best possible shape during the most crucial moment of the entire competition. It is a reality that Kansas has not had such a complicated road as North Carolina had, having to face somewhat inferior teams and even with injuries in their roster (like against Villanova), but to say that they are a mirage because of that is completely false.
The Jayhawks remain the most dominant team in the entire NCAA so far, defensively and offensively no one has been able to match them in any game, and in their worst stretches of performance experience has saved them by not buckling under pressure. They are a very complete team in all aspects, we have been repeating this since the early stages of March Madness.
With the amount of individual talent, the excellent performance in all areas, things will be decided by the performance of their players on the night of the match, in individual battles where one can overcome the other, because both teams have so far reached the final by having better ability than the others. And on paper Kansas has better ability than North Carolina, but the Tar Heels’ former opponents also won on paper and here they are, in the national final.
Limiting Brady Manek and Caleb Love offensively is crucial for the Jayhawks, they are the most dangerous and consistent scorers at the University of North Carolina. It has been virtually impossible to do so for the other teams that have faced them, but if there is one team that has shown no weaknesses so far it is Kansas University. Armando Bacot vs McCormack and Jalen Wilson will definitely be the most interesting duel of the night, whoever gets the rebounds will have a huge advantage.
Kansas must continue to play their game and keep a cool head, that’s what they have been doing every time they have success in this tournament. Although it can be defined in a matter of seconds, the Jayhawks can run away with the lead in a matter of seconds as well.
JefeBet Prediction
It has been very difficult to predict correctly in this tournament, so it is very difficult to know who will win the most important match of the season, because both have arguments to win against each other. North Carolina has simply been the true surprise team of the tournament, being far superior to their number one seed, while Kansas has lived up to their seed, proving to be the number one team in every aspect of their region.
It’s a total risk to bet on anyone in such a close game, but if I have to bet on anyone, I’m going with the experience and completeness of the Lance Leipold-led squad: the Jayhawks will win their first national championship since 2008.
