Gonzaga (5) vs. Kansas (4) Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
The Zags turned in a dominating performance in their 86-65 rout of McNeese State on Thursday and will now be making a 15th straight appearance in the Second Round at the NCAA Tournament. Kansas had its hands full with a feisty Samford Bulldogs that push them to the limit in the Jayhawks’ eventual 93-89 win. While the Jayhawks managed to extend their First Round win streak to 17 games, they failed to cover as 7.5-point chalk on Thursday night to fall to 3-8 ATS in their past 11 games.
In the wake of their lopsided win over the Cowboys, the Bulldogs have emerged as 4.5-point favourites on the Saturday March Madness odds and the total is pegged at 151.5.
Gonzaga vs. Kansas NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
In addition to being a massive betting disappointment, wins have come at a premium for Kansas in recent weeks. The Jayhawks have won consecutive games just once during a 5-7 run and have compiled a middling 7-10 record since mid-January. Kansas has also been bounced from March Madness in the Second Round in three of their past four appearances and are winless against the spread in their past five.
The Bulldogs regained their winning form on Thursday after losing to Saint Mary’s in the WCC Tournament final, and have now claimed victory in 10 of their past 11 games. Gonzaga has also claimed eight straight victories in Second Round action while going 4-4 ATS and manhandled the Jayhawks in 102-90 the last time these teams met in November 2020.
Gonzaga Bulldogs
The Zags established dominance early on Thursday night, seizing a 23-point lead at the half and never looking back. Five Gonzaga shooters tallied double-digit point totals in the win, led by big man Graham Ike, who dropped a team-high 16 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Senior Anton Watson contributed 13 points and 13 boards for his first double-double since February 15, and fell just short of his first triple-double of the season with nine assists.
Kansas Jayhawks
It looked as if the Jayhawks would run away with the win while marching out to an early 16-point lead with Samford. But the Bulldogs steadily chipped away at that advantage, cutting the Kansas lead to one point in the dying seconds and were denied a chance at the upset by a subsequent questionable foul call. Indeed, the Jayhawks were lucky to escape with a win after making 18 turnovers, but were buoyed by a sensational performance by Hunter Dickinson, who scored 19 points while dominating under the bucket with 20 rebounds including 18 defensive boards. However, they can ill afford to be forced to play Gonzaga’s game, the way that Samford dictate the pace at times on Thursday.
GONZ
KU