Villanova vs. Kansas: Odds, Spread, Preview & Pick for 2022 NCAA Tournament
Villanova Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Saturday, April 2, 6:09 p.m. ET
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The NCAA got what it wanted. We’ve been dealt a Final Four of Duke, North Carolina, Villanova, and Kansas. The coaches on these teams are legends and the brands of these teams are legendary. This is the perfect Final Four in reality. All four of these teams seem like such obvious choices to make the Final Four, yet just .1% of brackets actually had this Final Four, likely due to North Carolina being an eight-seed.
Anyway, in the first game of the Final Four, Villanova will take on Kansas. Kansas is the only one-seed to survive to the Final Four but currently aren’t the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament. That’s instead Duke.
Kansas is shooting 35.6% from deep and 53.8% from inside the arc this season. On the glass, the Jayhawks should have success as they earn 33.1% offensive rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Villanova is giving up 28.7% offensive rebounds per game. Kansas still takes care of the ball, only turning the ball over 17.5% of the time and are knocking down 71.9% of foul shots.
Meanwhile, Villanova is holding teams to 30.1% from deep and 48% from inside the arc. The Wildcats are much better at defending the perimeter in comparison to inside but Kansas would rather score inside than shoot a whole bunch of threes.
On the other hand, Villanova will shoot way more three-point shots. The Wildcats are knocking those shots down at 35.7% while shooting 49% from inside and 83% from the foul line. Villanova also limits turnovers to 15.5% and earns offensive rebounds at 31.1% of the time.
Still, Kansas has held teams to 29.6% from deep and 47% from inside the arc and ultimately have been the better defense this season in comparison to Villanova. If Kansas can earn more rebounds and limit Villanova from long-range, Kansas will win this game. After all, Kansas held a very good Miami defense to just 15 points in the second half when they were trailing at halftime.
I’m not sure Villanova’s offense can keep up with Kansas. The Wildcats are using 19.9 seconds per possession but will likely be rushed as the game continues. Kansas is one of the faster offenses in the NCAA, using just 16.4 seconds. The Jayhawks love to get out in the open to get easy buckets on the other side of the basket.
Again, the main thing is Kansas keeping Villanova from shooting at a high percentage from three and also keeping Villanova off the foul line. The Wildcats are the best team ever in regards to foul shooting this season, shooting 83%. Kansas needs to do whatever they can to keep Villanova off the glass. If Villanova continues to run halfcourt sets, Kansas has to be patient and can’t make bad fouls 30 feet from the basket.
Kansas should be prepared. So give me the one-seed to make the Finals.
Bet: Kansas -4.5 (-110) at DraftKings
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Jason Radowitz is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him @Jason_Radowitz.