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Miami vs Kansas Odds and Picks for Elite Eight

Eric Rosales

by Eric Rosales in College Basketball

Updated Mar 26, 2022 · 6:00 AM PDT

Kameron McGusty excited reaction
Miami's Kameron McGusty reacts after a college basketball game in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament Friday, March 25, 2022, in Chicago. Miami won 70-56. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
  • No. 1 seed Kansas battles Miami in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
  • The 10th-seeded Hurricanes are one of two double-digit seeds left in March Madness
  • Read below for the Miami vs Kansas odds, analysis, and betting prediction

The Kansas Jayhawks are the lone #1 seed still standing in the NCAA Tournament.

They’ll have to navigate through a dangerous Miami Hurricanes squad in the Elite Eight to win the Midwest Region and punch their ticket to New Orleans.

The 10th-seeded ‘Canes join St Peter’s as the two double-digit seeds remaining and vying for a trip to the Final Four.

Miami dumped fellow upstart Iowa State in Sweet 16 action, while KU outlasted Providence in their closest battle of the tourney so far.

Miami vs Kansas Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Miami Hurricanes +230 +6.5 (-110) O 147.5 (-110)
Kansas Jayhawks -280 -6.5 (-110) U 147.5 (-110)

Odds as of March 26th at Caesars Sportsbook. See all available Caesars Sportsbook promo codes

It all gets underway Sunday at the United Center in Chicago, with tip-off scheduled for 2:20pm ET. The game can be seen live on CBS.

After the dust cleared from another wild round of hoops, the Jayhawks own the best NCAA Tournament champion odds, and are 6.5-point favorites against the ‘Canes in this one, with a total set at 147.5.

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Miami Hurricanes Betting Analysis

The 15th-seeded Peacocks are the Cinderella story, while Duke and North Carolina are taking all the ACC-related shine. So quietly, Miami has put together an impressive run, punctuated with their 70-56 win over Iowa State Friday night. It’s the first Elite Eight trip in school history.

An offense that ranks 18th in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency metric, the Hurricanes had no problem filling it up. Kameron McGusty led the way with 27 points, six rebounds and four steals, including a 4-for-7 mark from downtown.

Jordan Miller added 16 points on a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, adding seven rebounds. Sam Waardenburg hit 3-for-7 from three-point range en route to 13 points, while filling the stat sheet with eight boards, five assists and three blocks.

Perhaps what’s most impressive, however, is their work on the other end of the court. That was the lowest point total Miami has surrendered all season, and they’ve given up just 61 points per game in the tournament.

They held Iowa State to just 36.4% shooting for the game, and just 4-for-22 from three-point range. They also added 11 steals, part of 18 Cyclones turnovers.

Kansas Jayhawks Betting Analysis

After watching a 13-point second-half lead disintegrate into a 1-point deficit, it looked like the Providence Friars were poised to bounce another top-seed out of the tournament.

The Jayhawks, however, found another gear, going on a 7-0 run to restore order and eventually land the plane in a close 66-61 win, earning their eighth Elite Eight appearance in the Bill Self era.

Remy Martin came off the bench to lead all scorers with 23 points, adding seven rebounds and three assists. Jalen Wilson had 16 points and 11 boards.

Big 12 leading-scorer Ochai Ogbaji — who also ranks fifth in the Wooden Award odds — was just 2-for-8 from the field for five points, but he did have four blocks and the emphatic punch to put the Friars away.

KU, who rank fifth in KenPom standings (6th offensive, 22nd defensive efficiency), shut down what had been a potent three-point Friars attack. After a sparkling 20-for-44 effort across their first two tourney games, they were held to 2-for-15 shooting, just a 13.3% clip.

Miami vs Kansas Pick

It’s been a nice run for Miami, but there are signs of slippage: after committing seven turnovers through their first two games, Iowa State turned them over 14 times Friday. They’ll need to keep that figure down Sunday.

Kansas has won eight straight dating back to the regular season, though Friday’s 66-point effort was their lowest output since their last loss, a 74-64 L to TCU on March 1.

The Jayhawks will look to make it two straight wins in the Elite Eight, last advancing to the Final Four in 2017. However, Bill Self’s teams are just 3-7 overall in this round. If you believe in upsets, Miami coach Jim Larranaga once guided 11th-seeded George Mason to the Final Four, in 2006.

The ‘Canes boast strong guard/wing play in McGusty, Miller, Isaiah Wong and Charlie Moore. All of them have scored in double figures at least once this tournament and that variance should help.

Their speed and athleticism might be a little jarring for Kansas early on, but the Jayhawks’ roster is the most talented one left standing. Look for defense, depth, and a bounceback effort from Ogbaji  to propel them to the Final Four, but in a close one.

Pick: Miami +6.5 (-110)

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