Pedro Oliveira
We started to have games where a clear winner is very difficult to see, and this is no exception for one of the closest games in all of March Madness, with the University of Kansas facing the University of Providence in the Sweet 16, and both will look to get a place in the next phase.
The Jayhawks haven’t seen enough level so far in the tournament to give them a ferrea fight, eliminating Creighton University by a score of 79-72. In turn, the Friars managed the University of Richmond at ease with a score of 79-51, dominating the game from start to finish. Who will be the winner who will remain in the final NCAA tournament and will be part of elite 8 in 2022?
Picks and Predictions for the Kansas Jayhawks vs Providence Friars NCAA Basketball Championship Sweet 16 Game on March 25
- Where: United Center – Chicago, Illinois
- When: Friday, March 25, 7:29 PM ET
- Betting Line: Kansas Jayhawks (-7.5) vs Providence Friars (+7.5)
Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 30-6
- Conference Record: 14-4
- Spread: -7.5
- Over/Under: Under 141.5
- Moneyline: -335
The team led by Bill Self has everything to be the national champion: the necessary talent, a very powerful offense and a defense very difficult to overcome. And the list does not stop here, because the duo between Ochai Ahbaji (19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds) and David McCormack (10 points, 7.1 rebounds) is the kind of duet that takes a team to the top, when one of the two is not on his night, the other responds in the best possible way. Add Christian Braun and Jalen Wilson to that, it’s a nightmare for anyone who crosses paths with the Jayhawks.
The focus at this appointment for Kansas is to limit providence’s unrealistic three-point shooting effectiveness as best as possible, having one of the most accurate collectives in the entire NCAA by far. And while many of these numbers who have the Friars so high have a bit of “luck” between them, luck has lasted long enough to keep them standing in the toughest encounter of the entire campaign. The Jayhawks must forget that luck exists and just get to work.
Providence Friars Betting Preview
- Overall Record: 27-5
- Conference Record: 14-3
- Spread: +7.5
- Over/Under: Over 141.5
- Moneyline: +260
For Providence there is not much more to say: “luck” cannot be finished against one of the favorites to win the title, and among the spectacular offense they have managed to build, they must cause hysteria among the Kansas stars, looking in every second to get them out of their minds: loss of the ball, very tight possessions and keep the score as close as possible in case of going at a disadvantage.
At this stage of March Madness the seeds do not weigh as much as at the beginning, but the reality is that the Jayhawks have played as what they are, a seed in the tournament and the Friars will need their entire team connecting in every way to generate a upset that would not be so surprising to have Providence as fourth profiled in the division.
Noah Horchler has been the team’s leading figure in the last two games, racking up 29 points, 23 rebounds, five three-pointers and three steals, and this could continue if the rest of his teammates make the necessary presence so they don’t bend him defensively.
JefeBet Prediction
At some point luck runs out, and against Kansas it would be no coincidence that this happened to providence University. The Jayhawks simply have a number of talent that has them at the talent peaks across the country. As much as the Friars try to score more than they do, at some point Kansas won’t let this happen, unless it’s an imminent sudden drop.
