No. 1 Kansas meets No. 4 Providence in the Sweet 16 round of the 2022 men's basketball tournament on Friday.
The game is at the United Center in Chicago. Tip off is scheduled for approximately 7:15 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on TBS.
Kansas (30-6) systematically took care of its business in the first two rounds. The Jayhawks are back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018, which resulted in a trip to the Final Four that season. Coach Bill Self has a team that is capable of winning the national championship.
Providence (27-5) will be a challenge. The Friars are back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1997, and Sporting News Coach of the Year Ed Cooley has the regular-season Big East champions playing at a high level. Providence won its first two tournament games by an average of 23.5 points per game.
Here's everything to know about betting on Kansas vs. Providence in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for the second-round game.
Kansas vs. Providence odds
The Jayhawks opened as an 8-point favorite, but the line has settled between -7 and -7.5 at most sportsbooks. Sports Interaction split the difference, and the Jayhawks are -4 in the first half.
- Spread Army Black Knights clothes : Kansas -7.5
- Over/under: 141.5
- Moneyline: Kansas -350, Providence +275
Three betting trends to watch
— Kansas is on a seven-game winning streak, and the Jayhawks had covered in five straight games before a 79-72 victory against Creighton in the second round. The Jayhawks were 13.5-point favorites in that game.
— The extra time off is going to help Kansas. They are 10- WVU vs. Pitt Rivalry Gear 1 S/U and 7-4 ATS with four or more days off this season.
— The Friars are 8-0 S/U and 4-4 ATS with four more days off, and they have been a fantastic underdog play this season. Providence is 7-2 S/U and 8-1 ATS as an underdog.
Kansas key players
Kansas uses a seven-man rotation and averages 78.7 points per game. S Buffalo State Bengals clothes N first-team All-American guard Ochai Agbaji leads the Jayhawks with 19.3 points per game, and he averages 5.2 rebounds. He also shoots 40% from 3-point range. Christian Braun (14.6 ppg) and Dajuan Harris (5.1 ppg) also start in the backcourt, and the tandem of Jalen Wilson (11.0 ppg 7.2 rebounds) and David McCormack (10.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg) form a strong frontcourt. Remy Martin (8.1 ppg) and Mitch Lightfoot (4.7 ppg) are role players off the bench.
Providence key players
Providence plays an eight-man rotation, and that includes six seniors. Nate Watson, a 6-10 center, leads the Friars with 13.5 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game. Noah Horchler is another force on the front line who averages 9.9 points and 8.5 recounds. Aljami Durham (13.3 ppg) is the leading scorer on the perimeter, and A.J. Reeves (9.9 ppg) and Justin Minaya (6.6 ppg) round out the starting five. Jared Bynum averages 12.6 points off the bench.
Best individual matchup: Ochai Agbaji vs. Alajami Durh Cal State Chico Wildcats clothes am
Durham, a fifth-year transfer whose career began at Indiana, is a facilitator for the Friars who Alabama vs. Auburn Rivalry Shirts doesn't have to force it on the offensive end. He was 10 of 19 from the floor in Providence's first two tournament games, and the Friars are 11-0 when has four assists or more. Agbaji had a season-high 37 points against Texas Tech on Jan. 24. He does not have to score at that clip, though. He hit 10 of 28 shots in Kansas' first two tournament games, but he also hit 40% from 3-point range. Providence cannot let him get in a scoring groove early.
Kansas vs. Providence stat to know
Kansas averages 37.8 rebounds per game, a touch ahead of Providence Notre Dame vs. USC Rivalry Gear at 37.6 rebounds per game. The Jayhawks are better on the offensive end (11.2-10.5, and the Friars are better on the defensive end (27.1-26.6). Second-chance points i Fayetteville State Broncos Jerseys n this game are going to be huge, and the rebounding battle will determine who wins this game.
Get to know … Jared Bynum, G, Providence
Bynum, a transfer from St. Joe's, started 10 games this year but he found his role as a spark off the bench. He scored 32 points against Georgetown on Feb. 6. He's 41.9% from 3-point range who hit double figures in the Friars' first two tournament games. He is a X-factor player in this matchup.
Kansas vs. Providence prediction
That rebounding battle will be contentious, and Kans UNC vs. Duke Rivalry Gear as is going to have to work to contain Watson, an outstanding post player who does not step outside much. Wilson is an active post player for the Jayhawks who can stretch to the Boise State Broncos shirt perimeter, and that is something Kansas will try to exploit. Kansas shoots 54% inside the arc, and that's a number the Friars must decrease to have a chance late here. The Jayhawks will lead throughout, but the Friars will keep it under double-digits for most of the game. It's a close call, but Kansas holds on.
Final score: Kansas 80, Providence 76
