Miami Florida Hurricanes vs. Kansas Jayhawks Picks, Predictions, Odds
Sunday’s opener in the NCAA Tournament’s Elite 8 Round features an ACC/Big 12 showdown for the Midwest Region title between the Miami Hurricanes and the Kansas Jayhawks. Game time from the United Center in Chicago is set for 2:20 p.m. (ET) on CBS.
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Score Prediction
Kansas 71, Miami 66
Best Bet
Miami +6.5 (-110)
NCAA Tournament Expert Picks | NIT Tournament Picks
MIAMI FLORIDA HURRICANES vs. KANSAS JAYHAWKS PREDICTIONS
Miami’s incredible run to the Elite 8 started with a two-point upset over USC as a 2.5-point underdog. After crushing Auburn in a stunner, the Hurricanes ran past Iowa State by 14 points on Friday night as 3.5-point favorites. The only blemish on their record in the month of March against six straight-up victories was a four-point loss to Duke as nine-point underdogs in the ACC Tournament.
Kansas was expected to be in this game as the top seed in the Midwest Region. After winning both the Big 12 regular season title and conference tournament, the Jayhawks have taken down Texas Southern, Creighton and Providence to live up to those expectations. They started March with a loss to TCU on the road but bring a SU eight-game winning streak into Sunday’s contest.
The Hurricanes are playing at a very high level right now which makes them a dangerous team to bet against. While the Jayhawks are in championship form as well, they have kept their last two games a bit too close for comfort. With everything on the line for a trip to the Final Four, I am taking Kansas SU but Miami to cover.
MIAMI FLORIDA HURRICANES vs. KANSAS JAYHAWKS BETTING ODDS
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MIAMI FLORIDA HURRICANES vs. KANSAS JAYHAWKS BETTING RESOURCES
- Date: Sunday, March 27, 2022
- Matchup: No. 10 vs. No. 1
- Region: Midwest
- Venue: United Center
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- TV-Time: CBS - 2:20 p.m. ET
MIAMI FLORIDA HURRICANES BETTING ANALYSIS
Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)
- SU: 25-10
- ATS: 20-15
- O/U: 20-15
The Hurricanes also have a 6-1 record against the spread over their last seven games including a perfect 3-0 mark in this tournament. Friday night’s 70-56 win against Iowa State as 3.5-point favorites stayed UNDER 131.5 points and it has stayed UNDER in all three games. Miami is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games going back to a win and cover against Georgia Tech on Feb. 9.
As part of a SU record of 14-6 in ACC play, the Hurricanes are 26-10 overall. They have gone 21-15 ATS in 36 games this season and a highly profitable 11-2 ATS in 13 games closing as underdogs. Miami is 5-4 ATS in nine previous games played at a neutral site this season. The total has gone OVER in 20 of those 36 matchups.
Kameron McGusty had the hot hand against Iowa State with 27 points but the win was a total team effort on both ends of the court. Jordan Miller connected on all six of his shots as part of his 16-point contribution to the win. Credit Miami’s defense with 18 turnovers while holding Iowa State to 32% shooting from the field.
The Hurricanes have been able to average 74.8 points per game this season while shooting 47.8% from the field and 35.3% from three-point range. They are pulling down an average of just 30.5 rebounds a game and allowing an average of 70.2 points on defense as two concerns in this matchup.
KANSAS JAYHAWKS BETTING ANALYSIS
Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)
- SU: 30-6
- ATS: 18-18
- O/U: 19-15-2
Going with Kansas on Friday night, I laid the 6.5 points against Providence in the 66-61 win and paid the price. The Jayhawks also failed to cover against Creighton in a 79-72 victory as 13-point favorites. This is probably the best team left in this tournament but this is also a team that has been tough to bet on at times this season.
Kansas is 31-6 SU overall with an 18-19 record ATS. The Jayhawks have been favored in 36 of 37 games this season. They are 6-5 ATS in nine previous neutral-site games and the total has gone OVER or ended as a PUSH in 21 of their games.
Behind some solid defense, Kansas took a 26-17 into halftime of Friday night’s game against Providence but it was outscored 44-40 over the next 20 minutes of play. Remy Martin led the way for the Jayhawks with 23 points and Jalen Wilson posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The Jayhawks have been one of the higher scoring teams in the nation this season with an average of 78.4 PPG. They are allowing an average of 67.7 points a game on defense. Kansas has been able to shoot 48.1% from the field and 35.5% from three-point range to matchup well against the Hurricanes. They get the clear edge under the boards with an average of 37.4 rebounds a game.
INSIDE THE STATS - MIAMI FLORIDA HURRICANES
- Record: 26-10
- PS/G: 74.6 (80th)
- PA/G: 70.2 (210th)
INSIDE THE STATS - KANSAS JAYHAWKS
- Record: 31-6
- PS/G: 78.4 (24th)
- PA/G: 67.7 (133rd)
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- MIAF: Kameron McGusty - G (17.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg)
- MIAF: Isaiah Wong - G (15.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg)
- KU: Ochai Agbaji - G (18.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
- KU: Christian Braun - G (14.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg)
MIAMI FLORIDA HURRICANES vs. KANSAS JAYHAWKS BETTING CONCLUSION
This will be the first meeting ever between these two teams. This is also Miami’s first ever appearance in the Elite 8. Kansas could come in and blow the doors off the Hurricanes Sunday afternoon on this big of a stage. Yet, I think Miami is playing too good right now to let that happen.
MARCH MADNESS PICK RESOURCES
MIAMI FLORIDA HURRICANES vs. KANSAS JAYHAWKS BETTING TRENDS
- Miami-Florida has seen 140 or more total points in seven straight games when playing on a neutral court during the daytime.
- Kansas has won 20 of its last 21 games when facing a non-AP-ranked opponent.
- Kansas has won 1H in 10 straight games when playing on a neutral court.
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