Kansas vs Creighton Odds, Lines and Spread – Jayhawks 10-Point Favorites in March Madness

• The top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks are 10-point favorites over the #9 Creighton Bluejays in an NCAA Tournament Midwest Region second-round game on Saturday, March 19
• The Jayhawks have won six games in a row, while the Bluejays are 3-2 over the past five games
• See the Kansas vs Creighton odds and picks, below

The Kansas Jayhawks (28-6, 17-17 ATS) are rolling, while the Creighton Bluejays (22-11, 17-14-2 ATS) are barely keeping their heads above water. On top of the that, they might be taking the floor Saturday against the top-seeded Jayhawks minus a key component of their lineup.

This NCAA Tournament Midwest Region second-round game is set for Saturday and the Jayhawks come into it riding a six-game winning streak. When the ninth-seeded Bluejays overcame the #8 San Diego State Aztecs via a 72-69 overtime victory in their first-round match, Creighton improved to 3-2 in the last five games.

However, that win came with a costly price. Starting center Ryan Kalkbrenner was lost to a left knee injury.

Creighton vs Kansas Odds

Odds as of March 18th at Barstool Sportsbook. 

Tipoff for this game at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas is set for 2:40pm ET. All the action is being carried by CBS.

Certainly, the Jayhawks were going to be favored in this game regardless. Now, though, Kansas is a 10-point pick over Creighton. The Jayhawks are 9-9 against the spread this season as a double-digit point favorite.

While certainly some people’s March Madness bracket picks have already taken a beating, in terms of the top seeds, they’re three-for-three. Kansas, Baylor and Gonzaga all won on Thursday. Arizona is playing on Friday. The Jayhawks are the +900 third betting choice to win the championship in the NCAA Tournament odds.

Kalkbrenner’s Injury Appears To Be Serious

Kalkbrenner went down with his knee injury early in the overtime period. The big center hit the floor hard with his left leg twisting under him while fighting for a ball. He got got up but collapsed to the floor after taking one stride.

He required assistance to leave the court. Bluejays coach Greg McDermott was waiting until today to get the official report from team doctors. However, he thought it would be unlikely that Kalkbrenner will be available for Saturday’s game.

Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner Suffers Awful Knee Injury pic.twitter.com/qGgQbcgdZo

— Main Team (@MainTeamSports2) March 18, 2022

Kalkbrenner scored 16 points with 10 rebounds and three assists in the Bluejays’ tournament opener.  His loss is vital because perhaps no team in March Madness is going with a shorter bench than Creighton.

Even though it went to OT, the Blue Jays used just seven players in Thursday’s game. One of them, KeyShawn Feazell, played only six minutes. Creighton reserves Rati Andronikashvili and Feazell combined for one point and three rebounds.

All five Bluejays starters accounted for double digits in scoring the win over San Diego State. Guard Trey Alexander led the way with 18 points. Four of the five starters played 40 or more minutes.

Jayhawks Were Never In Doubt

Kansas made short work of #16 Texas Southern in the opening round on Thursday. It was 47-19 Jayhawks by halftime.

Takin’ care of business pic.twitter.com/XkKKUFWRWF

— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) March 18, 2022

They hit 50% from the field, 47.8% from beyond the arc and grabbed 46 boards in what turned out to be a decisive 83-56 verdict. Guard Ryan Martin scored 15 points. Guard Christian Braun counted 14 points.

Creighton vs Kansas Prediction

Creighton was 13-8 in February before putting together a 9-2 run that has them in the tournament, albeit at +10,000 in the Final Four odds.  They trailed San Diego State by as much as seven points before rallying to win.

Kansas was going to be a handful for the Bluejays will a full lineup. Minus Kalkbrenner and with such a short-staffed roster to begin with, there’s no way they get it done.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane…

Nope, it’s a fly. pic.twitter.com/xq3JuY0yns

— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) March 18, 2022

The Jayhawks are averaging over 70 points per game during their current 6-0 run. KenPom rates Kansas at #6 overall, #7 on offense and #28 on defense.

Clearly, the March Madness betting strategy here is to go with the Jayhawks.

Pick: Kansas Jayhawks -10 (-110)

Other March Madness Content

Second Round Game Previews (Saturday)

1. Baylor vs UNC Odds, Lines and Spread (12:10 pm ET)
2. Michigan vs Tennessee Odds and Picks (5:15 pm ET)
3. Richmond vs Providence Odds, Lines and Spread (6:10 pm ET)
4. UCLA vs Saint Mary’s Odds and Picks (7:10 pm ET)
5. Saint Peter’s vs Murray State Odds, Lines, and Spread (7:45 pm ET)
6. New Mexico State vs Arkansas Picks and Odds (8:40 pm ET)
7. Gonzaga vs Memphis Odds and Picks (9:40 pm ET)

Regional Previews

1. East Region Odds — Baylor Earns Top Seed, Kentucky Favored
2. Midwest Region Odds See Kansas Favored Over Auburn, Iowa and Wisconsin
3. South Region Odds: Arizona +110 Favorites, Tennessee & Houston Sleepers
4. West Regional Odds: Gonzaga Odds-On Favorite to Reach Final Four

General

• SBD’s Expert Brackets and March Madness Picks 2022
• March Madness Odds Favor Gonzaga at +350 After Selection Sunday
• March Madness Odds for All First Round Games
• Printable 2022 March Madness Bracket – Make Your Picks for the NCAA Tournament