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The 16th-seeded Howard Bison (22-12) take on the No. 1-seeded Kansas Jayhawks (27-7) Thursday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament West Region. Tip from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa, is set for 2 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Howard vs. Kansas odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Howard took down Norfolk State 65-64 to cover as a 2-point underdog and win the MEAC Tournament on Saturday. It ended its season on an impressive 5-game winning streak and going 8-2 in its last 10 games. The Bison were 6-4 against the spread (ATS) in that span and are 18-13 ATS this season.
Kansas fell 76-56 to the Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 Championship failing to cover as a 2-point favorite. It is 8-2 in its last 10 games with both losses coming against Texas. In that span, the Jayhawks are 6-4 ATS and sit at 16-18 ATS on the season.
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Howard vs. Kansas odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 6:12 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Howard +1050 (bet $100 to win $1,050) | Kansas -5500 (bet $4500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Howard +21.5 (-108) | Kansas -21.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Howard vs. Kansas picks and predictions
Prediction
Kansas 81, Howard 63
Moneyline
PASS.
At 45 times the risk as the reward, the moneyline is not worth a play.
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Against the spread
LEAN HOWARD +21.5 (-108).
While Kansas is the far superior team, it has only covered the spread once of a possible 5 times while playing as a 20-plus point favorite. The Jayhawks are just 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games and 3-4 ATS in neutral site games. Howard is 5-1 ATS in neutral site games this season.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 145.5 (-108).
The Under is 7-0 in the Jayhawks’ last 7 games, 4-0 in their last 4 neutral site games, 4-0 in their last 4 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600, and 5-2 in their last 7 games following a ATS loss.
As a 1-seed against a 16-seed, this game should be a blowout meaning Kansas would need to carry the load to hit the Over which does not seem likely given their recent history of Unders.
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