Two of the top college basketball coaches of recent decades square off when Coach Self and Kansas go against Coach Calipari and Arkansas in an NCAA tournament first-round bout Thursday evening in Providence.
The Jayhawks are actually coming off their worst regular season in almost 40 years, but they’re still back at the Big Dance for the 35th straight time.
Meanwhile the Razorbacks didn’t play up to their preseason expectations, either, but nonetheless are back at the Dance after missing out last season.
How are we playing this game with our free NCAA tournament betting pick?
NCAAB Betting Odds
The NCAA tournament betting market opened Kansas at -5.5 for Thursday night, with an over/under of right around 144. Early betting action shaved that spread to -5.
Arkansas-Kansas Betting Preview
The Razorbacks played 20-13 this season, 8-10 in Southeast Conference action, which was enough to earn a 10 seed for this NCAA tournament. Arkansas started 11-2, with a win over Michigan, the losses coming against Baylor and Illinois. The Hogs then stumbled through a 4-9 stretch as that brutal SEC schedule took a bite. But Arkansas recovered just in time to finish 4-1, with wins over Missouri, Vanderbilt, and Mississippi State. The Razorbacks then won their first game in the SEC tournament before bowing to Ole Miss in the second round.
As of early this week, Arkansas was listed at around 70/1 to make the Final Four and 500/1 to win this national championship.
Meanwhile, the Jayhawks played 21-12 this season and 11-9 in the Big 12 to earn a No. 7 seed for this tournament. Kansas, the preseason No. 1 team in the land, started 7-0, with wins over North Carolina, Michigan State, and Duke. But the Jayhawks played stop-and-go from there, losing to Creighton and Missouri, winning seven of nine, then losing seven of 12. Kansas later beat Arizona in its regular-season finale, won its first game in the Big 12 tournament over Central Florida, then fell to Arizona in the second round. So the Jayhawks are only 7-8 SU over their last 15 games and 6-12 ATS over their last 18.
As of early this week, Kansas was catching 15/1 to make the Final Four and 100/1 to win this NCAA tournament.
These programs met most recently two seasons ago when the 8th-seeded Hogs beat the top-seeded Jayhawks in an NCAA second-round bout 72-71.
On the injury front, Arkansas is still playing without leading scorer Adou Thiero but expects G Boogie Fland, who’s missed the last 15 games with a bum thumb, to return Thursday night.
By the Numbers
Arkansas is shooting 47 percent from the floor this season, while Kansas is holding opponents to 40 percent shooting.
The Jayhawks are shooting 47 percent from the field, while the Razorbacks are holding foes to 42 percent.
Finally, according to Kenpom.com, Arkansas played the No. 22 schedule in the country this season, Kansas No. 12.
Common Opponents
These teams played three common opponents this season: Baylor, Missouri, and Oakland (Mich.). Arkansas played those foes to 2-2, both SU and ATS, and +4 ppg, Kansas to 1-2 SU, 0-3 ATS, and -1 ppg.
Betting Trends
Arkansas is 11-11 SU, 12-9-1 ATS this season against teams that made this NCAA tournament.
Kansas is 7-9 SU, 5-11 ATS vs. teams that made this tournament.
Totals Report
The Overs are 6-1 over Arkansas’ last seven games.
The Overs are 6-2 over Kansas’ last eight games.
