The No. 1 Villanova Wildcats (34-4) clash against the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks (31-7) in the Final Four at Alamodome. The game gets underway at 8:49 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 31, 2018.
Villanova Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks Free Prediction
In the Elite Eight, the Wildcats topped the No. 3 Texas Tech Red Raiders, 71-59. Villanova was effective at getting and making free throws. The Wildcats made 29 of their 35 free throws (82.9 percent), while the Red Raiders were 14-18 (77.8 percent). Eric Paschall played well for Villanova, recording 12 points and 14 rebounds.
The Jayhawks defeated the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils in the Elite Eight, 85-81. Kansas’ rebounding was their biggest advantage. The Jayhawks had 17 offensive rebounds and 47 total rebounds, while the Blue Devils had 10 and 32, respectively. Malik Newman was the game’s leading scorer with 32 points on 8-for-19 shooting.
This showdown figures to be a shootout as a pair of the NCAA’s top offenses face off. Kansas currently ranks 15th with 116.7 points per 100 possessions and Villanova is first (123.8).
Malik Newman has averaged 19.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 steals over the last five games for Kansas.
Villanova Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Kansas, ATS Winner – Kansas, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Villanova ranks 10th in three pointers attempted per game (28.7) while Kansas ranks 249th in three pointers allowed per game (23.9).
The Jayhawks average 16.9 assists per game, which ranks 13th in the nation. The Wildcats rank 175th in assists allowed per game (13.6).
Villanova averages 4.1 blocks per game, which ranks 72nd in the nation. Kansas ranks 155th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
The Wildcats rank 13th in steals allowed per game (4.8) while the Jayhawks rank 74th (5.6).
Villanova ranks 128th in rebounds per game (35.9) while Kansas ranks 178th in rebounds allowed per game (35.2).
Bettings Trends:
The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 16.6, up from 16.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Jayhawks have scored an average of 81.0 points per game (0.4 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.2 points per game (1.9 above their season average).
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