Creighton vs. Kansas Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
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Jeremy Perry
The Creighton Bluejays were in huge trouble in their opening game of the NCAA Tournament. They trailed San Diego State 62-55 with under 2:30 left in regulation. The game wasn’t over, but the Bluejays had to play a perfect final two minutes to survive, and they did. They didn’t allow a single point to the Aztecs in the remainder of the game. They tied the score at 62 and sent the contest into overtime. They trailed again, 69-66, but rallied to win and advance to the next round. Their opponent is Kansas, a number one seed which acted like it in an easy win over Texas Southern.
Creighton vs. Kansas NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Creighton has been effective against the spread as they’ve covered four straight overall. They’ve also covered five in a row on neutral sites when they’ve been an underdog. Oddly enough, though, they are 1-8 ATS in their last nine as a dog in the NCAA Tournament.
As for Kansas, they’ve now covered five straight overall and five in a row when closing as the favorite. They’re fresh off a huge win but are just 7-19 ATS in their last 26 when winning by 20 or more in their previous game.
Creighton Bluejays (9)
The Bluejays rallied late to beat Marquette in February. They won at Connecticut. They crushed Providence, the Big East regular season champion, in the Big East Tournament semifinals. This team has remained potent and formidable even without Ryan Nembhard in the lineup. Coach Greg McDermott is getting the most out of a roster which is young and loaded with underclassmen. Creighton’s ability to take a punch and then punch back is hugely impressive. This team is not wilting despite having every reason to do so. Creighton has shown an ability to get important and timely defensive stops, forcing opponents to work extremely hard to deliver a final blow. Most opponents in recent weeks have been unable to do it.
Kansas Jayhawks (1)
The Jayhawks have an established star, Ochai Agbaji, and a solid big man, David McCormack. Agbaji plays on the wing and McCormack holds things down in the paint. Kansas has room to improve, and one of the positions where it needs to improve the most is at point guard. Remy Martin, a transfer from Arizona State, struggled for much of the season, but in the Big 12 Tournament final this past Saturday against Texas Tech, and then in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday against Texas Southern, Martin looked like a strong player. If this is the version of Remy Martin which shows up throughout the NCAA Tournament, the Jayhawks will be in great shape to go to the Final Four. They should be able to fight past Creighton
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