Ohio State vs. Kansas Odds

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The Ohio State Buckeyes and Kansas Jayhawks are all set to throw down in Saturday’s second Final Four showdown.

Kansas has won four in a row in the series dating back to 1997, including a 78-67 home win on Dec. 10.  However, the Buckeyes were not at full strength in the season’s earlier matchup as Jared Sullinger missed the contest with back spasms.

With Sullinger healthy, odds makers expect Kansas’ winning streak in the series to come to an end. Ohio State is currently listed as a 2.5-point favorite with the total set at 136.5.

Ohio State was listed among the favorites to win it all when the season began but didn’t quite live up to its expectations. It earned a share of the Big Ten Conference regular-season title but lost to Michigan State in the conference tournament championship. That loss likely cost the Buckeyes a No. 1 seed. Nevertheless, they are in the Final Four for a second time in six seasons.

Ohio State’s road to the Final Four has been pretty smooth. It was dominant in a 78-59 win over Loyola-Maryland in the round of 64 but struggled to put away Gonzaga, winning 73-66, in the round of 32. The Buckeyes proved to be too much for Cincinnati in the Sweet 16 as they rolled to an 81-66 victory. Then, they knocked off No. 1 seed Syracuse in the Elite Eight, posting a 77-70 win.

Kansas has exceeded expectations by getting to the Final Four. It was thought to have had better chances of winning it all the past two years when it was upset by mid-majors Northern Iowa and Virginia Commonwealth. Nevertheless, the Jayhawks are in the round of four for a second time in five years. The last time they were in the Final Four (2008) they won it all.

Nothing has come easy for the Jayhawks in the NCAA Tournament following its 65-50 opening round victory over Detroit. They survived a scare from Purdue, winning 63-60, in the round of 32 and escaped with a 60-57 win over NC State in the Sweet 16. Their matchup with No. 1 seed North Carolina in the Elite Eight was also closer than the final score might lead you to believe. They led by just one point before ending the game on a 12-0 run for an 80-67 victory.

Ohio State certainly figures to have a better chance of beating Kansas with Sullinger in the lineup this time around, and the odds reflect that. He has been as good as advertised in this tournament with averages of 18.0 points and 8.3 rebounds. He will, however, have his work cut out for himself against Thomas Robinson. The Kansas big man has averaged 15.8 points and 12.5 boards in the Dance.

These two very well could play each other to a standstill, which means the game could be decided by which point guard plays better. Kansas’ Tyshawn Taylor has struggled in the Dance but showed signs of coming out of his slump with 22 points, five assists and six rebounds against North Carolina. Taylor was a superb three-point shooter during the season but is 0-for-17 from long range in the tourney. His shooting woes could very well continue with Aaron Craft guarding him.

The Buckeyes’ sophomore floor leader is touted as one of the premier on-ball defenders in the country. Craft will certainly be asked to hold Taylor in check but will likely also have to show well offensively for the Buckeyes to come out on top. He only attempted three shots against Syracuse but showed he was capable of having a game with a 17-point outburst against Gonzaga.

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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