Opening Kansas vs Villanova Odds Favor Jayhawks in Final Four

• The Kansas Jayhawks are opening as 3.5-point favorites over the Villanova Wildcats in their NCAA Final Four semifinal on Saturday, April 2
• Kansas is the only #1 seed to survive to reach the Final Four
• Villanova beat the Jayhawks in the 2018 Final Four semis en route to the school’s most recent national title

As as #1 seed still standing, the Kansas Jayhawks (32-6, 19-9-1 ATS) are a rarity in the 2022 NCAA Tournament but no one needs to tell the Jayhawks of the danger that looms in the form of the Villanova Wildcats (30-7, 20-5-2 ATS).

The only top seed to get the the Final Four, the Midwest Region champion Jayhawks are listed as the 3.5-point favorites over the Wildcats in one of two March Madness Final Four semifinals. Villanova, winners of two of the past six NCAA Tournament titles, captured the South Region as the #2 seed.

Villanova vs Kansas Odds

Odds as of March 27th at DraftKings Sportsbook.

Villanova has won four of the past five meetings with Kansas. The Jayhawks are 6-2 against the spread over their past eight games. However, Kansas is just 2-2 ATS during March Madness. Tipoff for this game on Saturday, April 2 is set for 6:09pm ET at the Caesars Superdome. TBS will be carrying the broadcast.

Jayhawks Defying The Odds

Kansas is the only school that isn’t breaking everyone’s March Madness bracket. The Jayhawks have won their four NCAA Tournament games by an average margin of 16.25 points per game.

The Jayhawks were the second betting choice in the Final Four odds at -279. At the same time, Kansas is the +255 chalk in the odds to win the NCAA Tournament.

Jayhawks senior guard Ochai Agbaji, who’s +1200 in the Wooden Award odds, leads the team with 18.9 points per game.

Moore Injured For Wildcats

The 50-44 South Region final verdict over Houston was the good news for Villanova. However, the right lower-leg leg injury to Wildcats junior guard Justin Moore is the bad news.

Driving the lane in the final minute of play, Moore slipped and fell. He had to be helped from the floor and required crutches to get around afterward.

Prayers up to Justin Moore. Doesn’t look good. @stoolbenchmob
pic.twitter.com/FkNlBJBRJb

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 27, 2022

Moore is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his ailing. His status for the final four is unknown.

The 6-foot-4 Moore is second on Villanova in points (14.8) and assists (2.3) and third in rebounds (4.8).

Might Want To Double Down

Whichever team you’re backing in this game, you might also want to play a parlay including that school to walk away wearing the March Madness crown.

This is the fourth meeting between these two schools in NCAA Tournament play and the second in a Final Four semifinal. All four times, Kansas was seeded #1. As well, on the three previous occasions, the winner between the Wildcats and Jayhawks carried on to win the NCAA Tournament title.

Villanova posted a 95-79 verdict in the 2018 NCAA Tournament semifinals. Both schools were #1 seed in their region that year. In the 2016 South Region final, #2 Villanova knocked off #1 Kansas 64-59. The Wildcats carried on to won the national championship in both of those years.

At the 2008 Midwest Region semifinal, #1 Kansas knocked off #12 Villanova 72-57. The Jayhawks won March Madness that year.

Where Is Villanova vs Kansas Line Going?

The Jayhawks are 4-1 straight up and 3-2 ATS this season when a favorite of 3.5 points or less. Kansas was down six at the half to Miami in the Midwest Region final and went on a 16-5 run to take control.

That was one of the best halves of basketball that Kansas has EVER played under Bill Self. Jayhawks outscored Miami 47-15 after halftime.

Kansas back to the Final Four to face Villanova next Saturday in New Orleans.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) March 27, 2022

If Moore can’t go, it will cause the line to lengthen in favor of Kansas. Senior Caleb Daniels (10.2 ppg) would step in. However, it will require seldom-used reserves Chris Arcidiacono and Bryan Antoine will see significantly more playing time.

This is the first time Villanova will face a higher-seeded team in the tournament.

Also see:

• Opening Duke vs UNC Odds – Blue Devils Favored in Final Four