Kansas vs. Arkansas: Second Round Preview and Prediction

© Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

The NCAA Tournament second round game between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Arkansas Razorbacks promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting styles. The Jayhawks, who finished the season with a 28-7 record, are known for their offensive firepower, while the Razorbacks, who went 21-13, rely on their defensive prowess. In this article, we will provide an extended preview of both teams, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses, and make a final prediction on the outcome of the game.

Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks had a successful season, finishing second in the Big 12 conference with a 13-5 record. They reached the conference tournament championship game, where they lost to the Texas Longhorns. Offensively, the Jayhawks are one of the most efficient teams in the country, averaging 75.5 points per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their scoring is spread out among multiple players, making them a difficult team to defend.

The standout player for the Jayhawks this season has been freshman forward Dylan Green. Green has been a force in the paint, averaging 17.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. He is a versatile scorer who can score both inside and outside the paint, making him difficult to defend. Another key player for the Jayhawks is senior guard Kevin Robinson, who is averaging 13.2 points and 5.1 assists per game. Robinson is a skilled playmaker who can score from anywhere on the court.

Defensively, the Jayhawks have been solid, allowing 68.9 points per game. They are an excellent rebounding team, averaging 36.2 rebounds per game, which helps them limit opponents' second-chance opportunities. They also have a strong presence in the paint, with freshman center Marcus Johnson averaging 1.3 blocks per game.

Arkansas Razorbacks

The Razorbacks finished the season with a 21-13 record, and they are making their second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament under head coach Eric Musselman. Last season, they reached the Elite Eight before losing to the eventual champions, the Baylor Bears. The Razorbacks are a strong defensive team, allowing only 66.8 points per game, which is among the best in the country.

Offensively, the Razorbacks are led by freshman guard Nick Smith Jr., who is averaging 13.8 points per game. Smith Jr. has been particularly impressive in recent games, averaging 16.4 points over the last five games. Another key player for the Razorbacks is sophomore forward Joshua Thompson, who is averaging 12.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Thompson is a versatile player who can score both inside and outside the paint.

Defensively, the Razorbacks are a force to be reckoned with, allowing opponents to shoot only 39.4% from the field, which is the second-best mark in the country. They are also a strong rebounding team, averaging 39.2 rebounds per game, which helps them limit opponents' second-chance opportunities.e.

BETTING TRENDS

Arkansas are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games.

Arkansas are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Big 12 conference.

The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arkansas' last 7 games played in March.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arkansas' last 5 games played on a Saturday.

Kansas are 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Kansas' last 8 games.

Kansas are 10-2 SU in their last 12 games.

Kansas are 14-5 SU in their last 19 games against an opponent in the Southeastern conference.

Prediction

The upcoming game between the Jayhawks and the Razorbacks is expected to be a closely contested matchup between two high-quality teams. The Jayhawks are a well-rounded team that can score from multiple positions, while the Razorbacks rely on their strong defense to limit their opponents' scoring opportunities.

However, we believe that the Jayhawks have the edge in this game due to their superior offensive firepower. The Razorbacks have struggled to score consistently this season, averaging only 74.4 points per game, which is below average compared to other teams in the tournament. On the other hand, the Jayhawks have multiple scoring options and are averaging 75.5 points per game, which is above average.

Furthermore, the Jayhawks have played well against tough opponents this season, which bodes well for their chances in the NCAA Tournament. They defeated several ranked teams during the regular season, including the Baylor Bears, who are the defending national champions.

In conclusion, we predict that the Kansas Jayhawks will win and cover the -3.5 points spread in this game. While the Razorbacks are a solid defensive team, we believe that the Jayhawks' superior offense will prove to be the difference in this game.

PICK: Kansas -3.5 (-110)

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