Big 12 champion Kansas wants to cut down another net
Player of the Year candidate Ochai Agbaji has been relatively quiet in the first two tournament games, averaging 13 points on 36% shooting. At some point, the Jayhawks will need Agbaji to deliver to advance through the March Madness Bracket. Perhaps it happens against a Providence team with some mediocre defensive splits. The Friars are in the regionals for the first time since 1997, trying to reach the Final Four for the first time since 1987.
It doesn’t hurt that six of Providence’s top seven scorers are seniors, the lone exception being junior Jared Bynum.
Kansas (+500) is tied for the second-lowest odds to win the national championship, while Providence’s odds are +7500.
Let’s check the latest news, stats, injury reports, and March Madness Odds for Providence vs Kansas. We’ve plenty of predictions for you to consider.
Providence has put Big East tourney loss in rear-view mirror
A few days before the release of the NCAA field, the stock of Big East regular-season champion Providence was in free fall, the Friars’ March Madness odds tumbling.
The Friars lost by 27 points to unranked Creighton in the semifinals of the conference tourney.
Although Providence owned non-conference wins against Wisconsin and Texas Tech, it was thought to be perhaps the most vulnerable of the top 16 seeds.
Providence wasn;t overwhelming against South Dakota State in its opener, clinching the win by going 6-for-7 from the foul line in the final half-minute. The Friars had no need for late-game heroics against Richmond, nailing a dozen 3-pointers en route to the 28-point victory.
Noah Horchler is averaging 14½ points and 11½ rebounds in the NCAA tournament, while Al Durham is contributing 13 points, six rebounds and 4½ assists.
Providence is 5-2 against the Las Vegas odds in its last seven games.
Martin to the fore at the perfect time for top-seeded Kansas
Before playing in his first game as a Kansas Jayhawks, guard Remy Martin was named the preseason Player of the Year in the Big 12.
While injuries limited his impact for the Jayhawks after transferring from Arizona State, Martin is showing what all the hype was about.
Martin didn’t lead Kansas in scoring in the regular season or during the conference tournament, but he’s done so in both NCAA tourney games. Included was a 20-point effort in a tough 79-72 win over Creighton.
These highlights deserve a click because they are pretty 𝓼𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓽 if you catch our drift.
🎥 ➝ https://t.co/Wj09ZDHJOe pic.twitter.com/J1Y9WOsNIe
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) March 21, 2022
After the Bluejays pulled within four points late in the second half, Martin assisted on the next two possessions. A pair of foul shots with 31 seconds to play helped Kansas advance, justifying the March Madness predictions.
Martin’s regular-season high was 17 points, but he’s averaging 17½ points on 59% shooting in the tournament. Kansas is a win away from its first regional final since 2018.
Kansas is 5-1 against the college basketball spreads in its last six games.
Providence vs. Kansas Head-to-Head
Providence is 1-0 against Kansas City and 0-1 against Kansas State but has never faced Kansas.
The last time Providence faced a No. 1 seed, the Friars lost, 85-66, to North Carolina as an 11-point underdog in 2016.
Kansas has won four of its last five games when playing against a No. 4 seed, including a 98-66 pummeling of Purdue in 2017.
Follow the Road to the Final Four
Learn more about the No. 1 seeds:
Arkansas vs Gonzaga Betting Preview, Picks & Predictions
Houston vs Arizona Betting Preview, Picks & Predictions
Providence vs. Kansas Game Information
- Game: Providence (27-5) vs. Kansas (30-6)
- Location: United Center, Chicago, IL
- Day/Time: Friday, March 25th, 7:29 p.m. ET
- Live stream: TBS.com
- 2022 March Madness Bracket
Providence vs Kansas Betting Lines
Providence vs Kansas Prediction
Kansas is in a decent offensive rhythm right now and will look to exploit a Providence team that has had defensive issues at times this season.
Providence is coming off one of its best shooting games in a while and will need more success from the perimeter to stay close in this one.
One thing to consider for those who bet online, Providence is 15-2 in games decided by single digits, including a 2-0 mark in overtime contests. Thus. Kansas would be well-advised not to let the Friars hang around here.
Kansas figures to advance, but a 7½-point line against a team with a track record of staying in games certainly catches the attention.
Here’s your chance to win $1,000,000. Shoot your shot in the BetUS March Mayhem Bracket Contest.
Pick: Providence +7½ (-110)
