Upcoming Match-ups

Villanova vs Kansas Player Props – Best Picks for Final Four

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in College Basketball

Updated Apr 1, 2022 · 7:55 AM PDT

Christian Braun drives to the hoop
Kansas' Christian Braun during the second half of a college basketball game in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA tournament Sunday, March 27, 2022, in Chicago. Kansas won 76-50 to advance to the Final Four. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
  • The Final Four at the NCAA Tournament tips-off on Saturday (April 2nd)
  • Player props are available for the Villanova vs Kansas matchup
  • See below to find out where the betting value lies in the Wildcats vs Jayhawks March Madness player props

After an incredible couple weeks at the NCAA Tournament we’ve arrived at College Basketball’s biggest weekend. The Final Four tips-off on Saturday in New Orleans, and despite the plethora of upsets we’ve seen so far, the right side of the March Madness bracket finished up fairly chalky.

The Midwest Region’s top seed Kansas will face the South Region’s second seed Villanova in Saturday’s first Final Four game, and a full menu of player props have already been released.

Villanova vs Kansas Player Props

Villanova vs Kansas Points Rebounds Assists Three Pointers Made
Caleb Daniels (VILL) 12.5 (Ov +100 / Un -130) OFF OFF 1.5 (Ov -200 / Un +150)
Collin Gillespie (VILL) 14.5 (Ov -125 / Un -105) 4.5 (Ov -120 / Un -110) 3.5 (Ov -165 / Un +125) 2.5 (Ov -105 / Un -125)
Eric Dixon (VILL) 8.5 (Ov -105 / Un -125) 6.5 (Ov -120 / Un -110) OFF OFF
Jermaine Samuels (VILL) 14.5 (Ov -110 / Un -120) 7.5 (Ov -120 / Un -110) OFF 1.5 (Ov +170 / Un -235)
Christian Braun (KU) 12.5 (Ov +100 / Un -130) 6.5 (Ov -105 / Un -125) 1.5 (Ov -175 / Un +130) 1.5 (Ov +150 / Un -205)
David McCormack (KU) 9.5 (Ov -125 / Un -105) 6.5 (Ov -110 / Un -120) OFF OFF
Jalen Wilson (KU) 11.5 (Ov -130 / Un +100) 7.5 (Ov -135 / Un +105) OFF 0.5 (Ov -255 / Un +185)
Ochai Agbaji (KU) 16.5 (Ov -105 / Un -125) 5.5 (Ov +120 / Un -160) OFF 1.5 (Ov -190 / Un +140)
Remy Martin (KU) 11.5 (Ov -140 / Un +105) OFF 2.5 (Ov -165 / Un +125) 1.5 (Ov +175 / Un -240)

Odds as of March 31st at DraftKings Sportsbook.

The Wildcats sported +425 Final Four odds to come out of their Region prior to their first March Madness game, and much of their success so far can be attributed to their suffocating defense.

That unit will be put to the test versus a Jayhawks team than ranked top-16 in the nation in points per game, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find Kansas shooters to fade in the player props market.

Pick #1: Christian Braun Under 12.5 Points

Villanova has held each of its four tournament opponents to 61 points or less. They saved their most impressive defensive performance for the Elite Eight, limiting Houston to 44 points. They yielded a minuscule 29.8% shooting percentage, and completely neutralized the Cougars’ starters.

That spells trouble on Saturday for Kansas wing Christian Braun, who’s seen his shooting volume decrease recently. Braun has taken fewer than 10 shots in seven of his past nine outings, and has failed to clear 12 points in all but one March Madness contest.

His efficiency has dipped in his last two performances, shooting only 40% from the field. Typically an excellent three-point shooter, he’s made one or fewer threes in every game but one since the Big 12 regular season ended.

The Wildcats meanwhile, are tenacious defenders ranking 33rd in the country in opponent shooting percentage and 18th in scoring defense.

Braun’s difficult matchup, plus decrease in volume and efficiency make him a clear candidate to score under 12.5 points.

Pick #2: Eric Dixon Over 8.5 Points

While Villanova are rock starts at the defensive end, its offense isn’t nearly as impressive. The Wildcats rank 122nd in points per game this season, and don’t feature a contender in the Wooden Award odds . Four players average double-digit points per game, but it looks like there should be more opportunity to go around on Saturday.

That’s because second leading scorer Justin Moore is out indefinitely after suffering an Achilles Tendon injury against Houston. His absence should increase Eric Dixon’s role in the offense, brining the over on his point total into play. The sophomore has had two straight down games, in large part due to a lack of volume, but he should now see an uptick.

Moore missed one game this season and Dixon went bonkers. He scored a career-high 24 points against a very good UConn team, while logging 33 minutes. He’s played 30 or more minutes just 10 this times this season and in all but two instances he exceeded 8 points.

If Villanova wants to pull of the upset of the NCAA Tournament odds favorite, they’d be wise to give Dixon plenty of touches. Villanova is 9-0 since January 19th when Dixon scores at least 10 points.


Other Final Four Content:

Author Image