Kansas vs. Gonzaga odds: Win probability, final score prediction in NCAA Tournament
With one win each on their path to a national championship, the Kansas Jayhawks and Gonzaga Bulldogs are set to square off on Saturday, with the winner taking a spot in this year’s Sweet 16.
For Kansas, this has been a less than stellar season. While the Jayhawks are a 4-seed this year — something many schools would gladly take — they failed to meet their usual expectations. Kansas went 22-9 in the regular season and 10-8 in the Big 12 this year, the worst mark in league play under legendary head coach Bill Self. On the other side of things, Gonzaga started the year slower but has recently found fire. The Bulldogs won nine straight before losing the WCC Championship to Saint Mary’s.
Gonzaga beat McNeese in the first round to get to this game, while Kansas took down Samford in a tight battle to get to this point. Two historically strong basketball programs battling it out for the Sweet 16 should make for an exciting battle on the hardwood.
Odds for Kansas vs. Gonzaga
According to FanDuel as of the time of this publishing, Gonzaga sits as a 4.5-point favorite over Kansas. The Bulldogs are -200 on the moneyline, with the Jayhawks priced at +164.
The point total for the game is sitting at 151.5 points. Kansas eclipsed that point total in the first round with a 182-point game against Samford, while Gonzaga’s first round game landed at 151.
Final score predictions for Kansas vs. Gonzaga
Final score predictions for Kansas vs. Gonzaga
BPI predicted winner: Gonzaga
BPI predicted point differential: 2.4
BPI win probability: 59.1%
BPI matchup quality: 94.8
So as it stands now, BPI likes for the Bulldogs to come out on top in this game and punch their ticket to the Sweet 16, it might be hinting that a bet on Kansas would be the better side to bet on. With the Jayhawks getting 4.5 points and the projected differential being under that, bettors could be in a position to win with a Kansas cover.
The matchup quality seems to indicate this is going to be the game you cannot miss on Saturday. The Bulldogs and Jayhawks’ matchup quality of 94.8 currently ranks as the highest matchup quality of the day.
KenPom Predicted final score: Gonzaga 77, Kansas 75
KenPom win probability: Gonzaga, 60%
Another predictive system for college basketball fans, KenPom is used to project how strong certain teams are across the sport. It would appear that KenPom and BPI are on the same page with this game, as it is projecting a two-point win for the Bulldogs. Again, the 4.5 points with the Jayhawks would cover the spread.
How to watch Kansas vs. Gonzaga
Time: 3:15 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS, Prime Video (streaming)
Location: Delta Center — Salt Lake City, Utah
Most college basketball fans will be glued to their TVs to help get another exciting day of basketball rolling. The slate of games is about to shrink, as the field of the NCAA Tournament gets smaller. But as the field gets smaller, the games get more intense and we get closer to crowning a national champion.
The winner of this game could get a crack at one of the biggest names in the field. Unless an upset comes, the No. 1 seed in the Midwest, Purdue, will be next for the winner of this game.