Miami vs. Kansas Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
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Jeremy Perry
The Miami Hurricanes barely defeated the Boston College Eagles in overtime of the ACC Tournament quarterfinals. Had Miami not won that game, the Hurricanes might not even have made the NCAA Tournament. They got in as a No. 10 seed, and they received all they really could have asked for: a chance to do something. Now they are in the Elite Eight, the first time that the Miami program has reached the Elite Eight in men’s basketball. Miami has the chance of a lifetime, one game for the Final Four, but it will have to go through the top seed in the region, the Kansas Jayhawks, to do it. Kansas is the only No. 1 seed still left in March Madness. The other three top seeds didn’t get this far. It’s a fascinating Midwest Regional final early Sunday afternoon in Chicago.
Miami vs. Kansas NCAA Tournament Elite Eight Point Spread, Betting
The Miami Hurricanes covered the spread, winning by a large margin over Iowa State on Friday night in a game in which they were favoured by 2.5 points at tipoff time. They are now 4-0-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games vs. a team with a winning straight-up record. They are also 7-1 ATS in their last eight neutral site games as an underdog.
Kansas did not cover against Providence. The Jayhawks were 7.5-point favourites but won by only five, 66-61. They are 1-2 ATS in the tournament this year but are 2-5 ATS in their last seven NCAA Tournament games as a favourite.
Miami Hurricanes (10)
If Jim Larranaga was surrounded by any doubters entering this NCAA Tournament, those doubters have gone away for good. Larranaga led 11th-seeded George Mason to the Final Four in 2006, one of the great March coaching performances of all time. That run with George Mason inspired other mid-major programs, and one of them, Saint Peter’s, has just become the first No. 15 seed to make the Elite Eight. Meanwhile, Larranaga has guided Miami to its first Elite Eight by beating Iowa State on Friday night. Miami had previously defeated USC and Auburn to get to the Sweet 16, but now the Hurricanes have taken the extra step to the Elite Eight. Charlie Moore leads a devastating backcourt for the Canes, who love to get turnovers and run the floor. They did a lot of that against Iowa State and created the up-tempo pace they wanted. Their backcourt is dictating the style of play in this March Madness run.
Kansas Jayhawks (1)
The Jayhawks beat Creighton by seven after leading by only one point with a few minutes left. They beat Providence in a game that was not especially comfortable, but which was also not a squeaker. Kansas had a working margin in the final minute and was able to finish that game without too many problems. Coach Bill Self is seeking a fourth Final Four with the Jayhawks, having been to the big party in 2008, 2012, and 2018. The 2012 Final Four was the last Final Four in New Orleans before this year’s event. Self would love to return to the Big Easy, and with guard Remy Martin helping Ochai Agbaji, the Jayhawks are getting the balanced production and depth they need to contend for the national championship.
MIA
KU