Kansas has been a juggernaut at the sportsbook window, going 11-2 ATS in 13 recent games and 10-2 ATS in their past dozen outings as a favorite.
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Michigan Wolverines Odds: Sweet 16 betting preview, pick
Kansas has dominated against the spread lately and they are just 2-point favorites against Michigan in Sweet 16 betting odds. Can the Jayhawks get past the Wolverines in the South Region of the bracket?
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So is Rock Chalk Jayhawk an easy winner over Michigan Friday as a 2-point favorite in a South Regional semifinal bout at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington (7:30 pm ET, TBS)?
Kansas has been a regular among the crowd that hangs around during the second weekend of the NCAA tournament for many years. In fact, KU just played in the national championship game last year.
The Michigan Wolverines, on the other hand, haven't gotten this far in the Big Dance since the days of the Fab Five 20 years ago.
Back last Sunday night many sportsbooks opened Kansas as a two-point favorite for this Sweet 16 soiree, with a total of 136. Both those numbers had held steady in the early betting, even though savvy handicappers point to the fact that Kansas has played UNDER the total in 11 of their past 12 tournament games.
Perennial power Kansas shared the Big 12’s regular-season title (again) this year, although the Jayhawks really own it, having beaten co-champion (and rival) Kansas State twice. Kansas then won the Big 12’s conference tournament (again), topping (guess who?) K-State in the title game.
For the effort Rock Chalk was rewarded with the top seed in the South Region. The Jayhawks then began this tournament with a tough 64-57 victory over Western Kentucky, then took care of business in a 70-58 win over North Carolina.
Michigan, meanwhile, finished fourth in a tough Big Ten during the regular season, then lost to Wisconsin in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. After getting to 20-1 and reaching the top spot in the AP poll back in late January, the Wolverines lost six of their last 12 games, and began the NCAA tournament as a four seed.
Big Blue then opened this Dance with a 71-56 win over South Dakota State, then beat a pretty good VCU team in surprisingly easy fashion Saturday 78-53.
Including their two victory/covers last week the Wolverines are 10-6 SU and 8-8 ATS this season versus teams that made the NCAA tournament.
Including its two wins last week Kansas is 15-3 SU and 12-6 ATS against tournament teams this season.
Earlier this week, a review of Bovada sportsbook NCAA tournament futures showed both Kansas and Michigan at 5/2 to win the South Region and 12/1 to win the national championship.
