Howard vs. Kansas Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
The Bison earned their first berth at the Big Dance after finishing atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings with an 11-3 straight up record and following up with a run to the MEAC Tournament title, capped by a 65-64 in over Norfolk State. The Jayhawks open their national championship defense as top seeds in the West Region despite closing out their campaign with a crushing 76-56 loss to Texas in the Big 12 Tournament final.
The Jayhawks have emerged as lofty 22-point favourites, while the Bison sport lengthy +1750 odds of becoming just the second No. 16 seed in March madness history to pull off a First Round upset. The total is listed at 145.5.
Howard vs. Kansas NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Thursday afternoon’s matchup at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa marks the third all-time meeting between these squads, and their first ever clash at the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks rolled to a lopsided 89-34 win when they last faced the Bison in December 2011, and are now 2-0 straight up in head-to-head action.
The defending champion Jayhawks have appeared in every edition of the NCAA Tournament since 1989, and are undefeated in 15 straight opening-round contest. However, they have produced mixed results at the sportsbooks of late, covering just twice in their past six outings, and are 1-7 against the spread in their past eight when favoured by more than five points.
The Bison return to the Big Dance for the first time since 1992 searching for their first ever March Madness win. Howard rides a five-game win streak into Thursday’s contest, with three of their past four coming by double-digit margins. However, the Bison are also winless in 32 all-time dates with nationally ranked teams.
Howard Bison (16)
The Bisons have produced steady results since getting over a mini two-game swoon last month. The offence has found its groove, averaging 79.8 points per game during their 5-0 run, and demonstrated character while holding on for a heart-stopping 65-64 win over Norfolk State to claim the MEAC Tournament crown. Senior guard Jeleni Williams emerged as the hero off the bench in that contest, tallying a team-high 20 points including a pair of free throws in the dying seconds that sealed the win. However, the Bisons will need more production out of leading scorer Elijah Hawkins if they are to keep things close.
Kansas Jayhawks (1)
All the pressure will be on the Jayhawks as they begin their title defence. Kansas is coming off a humbling loss to Texas in the Big 12 Tournament final, marking their second defeat at the hands of the Longhorns in a week. However, there is no doubting this squad’s potential to repeat as national champions. Kansas has averaged 74.9 points per game this season, and also sports a formidable defence that ranks seventh at Kenpom in adjusted defensive efficiency. The Jayhawks also sport four shooters who averaged double-digit point totals this season, led by Big 12 Player of the Year Jalen Wilson, who averaged 12 points per game and recorded three double-doubles during last year’s championship run.
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