Miami Hurricanes vs Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview

With a trip to the Final Four on the line, the Midwest region will feature a battle between the ACC and the Big 12 as the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (26-10) will square off with the No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks (31-6). This game will be played at the United Center, with tipoff scheduled for 2:20 pm ET.

Miami has continued an unbelievable run in the tournament that has seen them collect wins over No. 7 USC, No. 2 Auburn, and No. 10 Iowa State. In the Sweet 16, they took down the Cyclones 70-56.

In the win, Kameron McGusty led all scorers with 27 points while also adding six rebounds. Jordan Miller and Sam Waardenburg combined for 29 points in the win.

With their win on Saturday, Kansas has now won eight in a row. In that span, they have won the last two games of their regular season, the Big 12 tournament and the first three rounds of the NCAA tourney.

Kansas was able to dispose of No. 4 Providence in the Sweet 16, 66-61. In the win, Remy Martin led all scorers with 23 points. Jalen Wilson had a double-double in the victory with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Kansas comes into this Elite Eight matchup as a 6.5-point favorite. The over/under for total points is 147.5.

More Odds

In terms of winning the National Championship, Kansas has the best odds of any team remaining at +280. The Hurricanes are +2000 to win it all.

By The Numbers

The Jayhawks have the 13th-best offense in all of basketball. They are averaging 78.7 points per game. Miami ranks 55th, averaging 74.7 points.

Defensively, it is again the Jayhawks with the advantage. They rank 123rd in scoring defense allowing opponents an average of 67.9 points per game. The Hurricanes rank 191st allowing 70.6 points.

Miami Out To Prove They Belong

With Miami’s win over Iowa State, they became the third ACC team to make it into the Elite Eight. However, with the other two being Duke and North Carolina, teams that have long traditions of tournament success, the Hurricanes feel like a bit of an afterthought comparatively.

On Sunday, they will set out to take down the top-ranked Kansas and prove to their conference and the rest of the nation they belong.

Leading Miami’s offense is senior guard Kameron McGusty. This season, he is averaging 17.5 points per game on 47.5 percent shooting. He is also adding 4.9 points, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals.

The Hurricanes have three others averaging double digits in guards Isaiah Wong (15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, two assists), Charlie Moore (12.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.1 steals), and Jordan Miller (10.1 points, six rebounds, 1.8 steals).

And Then There Was One

As the tournament transitions into the Elite Eight stage, only one No. 1 seed remains, and that is Kansas. The Jayhawks have quickly proven they are cream of the crop in the tournament and the favorites to take home the national championship.

Throughout the entire season, it has been senior guard Ochai Agbaji leading the Jayhawks’ offense. He is averaging 19.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.

For as good as he has been, it is Remy Martin that has turned it on the most as of late. In fact, he has led the Jayhawks in scoring every game of the tournament averaging 16 points per game.

Other contributors for head coach Bill Self’s team include Christian Braun (14.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists), Jalen Wilson (11 points, 7.2 rebounds), and David McCormack (10 points, 7.1 rebounds).

Take The Jayhawks To Win And Cover

For as well as Miami has played in this tournament, Kansas may have the best blend of talent and experience remaining in the tournament.

Four of their five leading scorers are upperclassmen, and the other is a sophomore. With a deep offense, experience, and one of the best coaches in the nation in Bill Self, it is no wonder why Kansas is the favorite to win the tournament at this point.

Giving credit where it is due, Miami will play Kansas tough. It wouldn’t be shocking to see this game close at halftime, but expect Kansas’ experience to take over in the second half and for the Jayhawks to pull away.

For that reason, take Kansas to win and cover the 6.5-point spread.