Villanova Wildcats vs Kansas Jayhawks Prediction, Pick and Preview, April 2 (4/2): NCAAB

Credit: photo by Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

2021-2022 season stats

Preview

#2 seed Villanova face off #1 seed Kansas at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA for the first Final Four matchup of the day. These two teams have not played each other since December 2019 where Nova beat Kansas 56-55.

VILLANOVA WILDCATS

The #2 Villanova get here after beating Houston, Michigan, Ohio State and Delaware with an average margin of victory of 11 points. Houston was definitely the thoughest rival Villanova faced on their way to the Final Four. Jermaine Samuels had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Caleb Daniels added 14 points for the Wildcats (30-7), and fifth-year senior Collin Gillespie's only made field goal was a clutch shot late. Villanova shot 28.8% from the field (15 of 52). 

C. Gillespie is averaging 15.6 points and 3.3 assists. J. Samuels leads the team in rebounds with 6.5 for the Wildcats. 

The team is averaging 71.92 points and shooting 43.35% from the field goal and 35.74% from long distance while they're grabbing 34.42 rebounds. They rank 17th in adjusted defensive efficiency and allow just 62.2 PPG. 

INJURIES: Moore, the Wildcats' second-leading scorer, had surgery this week after tearing his Achilles tendon in the final minute of their regional final with over Houston last Saturday.

KANSAS JAYHAWKS

#1 Kansas who are the favorite to win it all, get here after beating Miami, Providence, Creighton and Texas Southern. Kansas has been perhaps the most dominant team in the tournament, rolling into the Big Easy as the lone No. 1 seed still standing. In their last game after Miami the Jayhawks were trailing by six at halftime, but then, outscored Miami 47-15. The Jayhawks shot 59.3% (16 for 27) after the break, compared to 21.4% (6 for 28) for the Hurricanes. They also outrebounded Miami 25-11 in the final 20 minutes.

The hottest player in the tournament just might be Kansas guard Remy Martin, who transferred from Arizona State for his final season but struggled through injuries and a crisis of confidence. He continues to come off the bench, even though he's averaging nearly 17 points in the tournament, giving the Jayhawks a big scoring punch. Ochai Agbaji is averaging 19.3 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Jayhawks. Christian Braun is averaging 8.6 points over the last 10 games for Kansas.

The Jayhawks are averaging 78.3 points ranking #23 in offense while are grabbing 36.7 rebounds and shooting 47.78% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.26 points per game.

BETTING TRENDS

Villanova are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.

Villanova are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games against Kansas.

Kansas are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Kansas' last 10 games.

Prediction

The Wildcats will definitely suffer the loss of Moore who was averaging 14.8 ppg and grabbing 4.8 rebounds and going without their best 2nd scorer is not going to be easy against the Jayhawks. Kansas defense will be too much for the Wildcats without Moore, if they had him for this game the line would be even at least so go with the Jayhawks to win this game and go for the championship. 

PICK: Kansas -4 (-110)

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