Providence vs. Kansas Prediction and Odds for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
By Reed Wallach
No. 1-seeded Kansas advanced despite a competitive effort from No. 8-seeded Creighton in the Round of 32. Now, they face No. 4-seeded Providence, who took care of business against mid-major foes South Dakota State and Richmond this past weekend.
Who has the edge in the Sweet 16 between the Big 12 champion Kansas Jayhawks and the Big East regular season champs Providence? Let's find out by checking out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook as well as the statistical profile for both teams before finding a best bet.
Providence vs. Kansas Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Providence: +7.5 (-110)
- Kansas: -7.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Providence: +275
- Kansas: -350
Total: 141 (Over -110/Under -110)
Providence vs. Kansas Analysis
Providence
- Regular Season Record: 25-5
- ATS Record:17-13
- Over/Under Record: 16-14
- SoS: 46th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 111.8
- Defensive Efficiency: 98.0
- eFG%: 50.3%
- FT%: 72.6%
- 3PT%: 34.3%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: N/A
- Odds to win National Championship: +3000
Kansas
- Regular Season Record: 25-5
- ATS Record:17-13
- Over/Under Record: 16-14
- SoS: 46th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 111.8
- Defensive Efficiency: 98.0
- eFG%: 50.3%
- FT%: 72.6%
- 3PT%: 34.3%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: N/A
- Odds to win National Championship: +600
Providence vs. Kansas Prediction and Pick
I lean Providence to hang around in this game. While many have discussed at length about the 'luck' factor related to the Friars, who amounted an 11-2 record in games decided by five or less this season, this is a veteran bunch who has made living off of finding ways to win.
They will be going up against a talented No. 1 seed Kansas squad, but the team has been mediocre at best on the defensive side of the ball. For starters, the team doesn't excel anywhere, ranking in the middle of the pack in turnovers forced and defensive rebounding rate.
Further, ShotQuality ranks their defense 46th in the country, and gives the team an adjusted record of 24-12. This means the team has benefitted from some shot variance in their favor. Providence may not be the most lethal perimeter shooting team but they have a reliable big man in Nate Watson and capable 3-point threats around Al Durham in Jared Bynum and AJ Reeves.
Yes, Kansas has the star power with Ochai Agbaji and a healthy Remy Martin, but I think they are going to struggle to get enough stops to pull away from the veteran Friars who have found a way to outperform expectation all season.
LEAN: Providence +7.5
Follow BetSided's March Madness Hub throughout the entirety of the NCAA men's and women's tournaments for full betting previews and picks for every game, updated betting odds , futures for the Final Four and national championship, insights, trends, videos, podcasts and more!