The Villanova Wildcats (30-7) and the Kansas Jayhawks (32-6) meet Saturday in a National Semifinal Game. Tip-off from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La. is scheduled for 6:09 p.m. ET (TBS). Below, we look at the Villanova vs. Kansas odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Villanova heads into the Final Four with the least amount of hype of the four teams in New Orleans. The Wildcats dropped Houston, 50-44, in the regional final, but that victory came at a huge price. Justin Moore, the team’s second-leading scorer in the regular season, suffered a torn Achilles’ tendon. He averaged 15.3 PPG with 5.2 RPG, 1.5 APG and a 46.0 FG% in 29 games.
Kansas is the only No. 1 seed in the Final Four. The Jayhawks routed Miami in the regional final, 76-50. KU actually trailed at halftime, but they outscored the Hurricanes 47-15 in the final 20 minutes.
These teams have met six times since March 28, 2008, with Villanova winning four of the past five meetings, while going 5-0 ATS in the previous five outings. The Under is 4-1-1 in the past six in this series, too. Three of those meetings were in the NCAA Tournament, with Villanova winning two of those games.
See also: Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports
Villanova vs. Kansas odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:25 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Villanova +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Kansas -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Villanova +3.5 (-105) | Kansas -3.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 133.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Villanova vs. Kansas odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Kansas 71, Villanova 57
Money line
KANSAS (-190) is a little on the expensive side, but if you don’t want to worry about the points, the Jayhawks are worth a look. After losing Moore, Villanova (+155) is lucky to just be here. I feel like this game is going to get ugly rather quickly.
Against the spread
KANSAS -3.5 (-120) is a slam-dunk play in what is basically the undercard in New Orleans to the game everybody is talking about, UNC-Duke. The Wildcats should roll to a victory in the first game, as Villanova +3.5 (-105) is going to have a very difficult time adjusting to life without Moore.
Yes, Villanova has owned Kansas over the years, but the Jayhawks are playing great basketball, and they’re whole. The Wildcats made the Final Four, which is great, but they’re short the second-leading scorer. That’s too much to overcome.
Over/Under
The UNDER 133.5 (-115) is the best play on the board. Again, Moore is out, and that’s a huge chunk of offense missing for Villanova. But even with him in there, the Wildcats hit the Under in six of the past seven games overall, while going 4-1 in the past five NCAA Tournament games. The Under is also 8-1 in the past nine neutral-site outings, too.
The Under is 7-3 in the past 10 games overall for Kansas, while also hitting in seven of the past 10 as a favorite. The Under is 3-1-1 in the past five NCAA Tournament games, too.
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