Kansas has been one of the best teams in the country all year long and are expected to cruise in this matchup. UC Davis made some big plays late to knock off North Carolina Central in one of the First Four matchups, but the Big Dance won’t be lasting any longer.
While Kansas should win in a blowout, the question will be how many points the Jayhawks win by and if that will cover the spread.
At 6:50 p.m. ET, tune into TNT for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Friday, March 17, 2017, at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds available for this and every game on the college basketball Friday schedule.
College Basketball Odds
Kansas is 28-4 straight up but only 11-18-1 against the spread on the season. The Jayhawks have played six neutral site games on the season this year and have covered in half of them. Kansas is only 8-17-1 against the spread as the favorite this season.
UC Davis is 22-12 straight up and 18-13-1 against the spread. The Aggies have played in eight neutral court games as well and have gone 4-3-1 against the spread. UC Davis has played in 18 games as the underdog this season, covering in half of them.
Eligibility Update
Kansas star Josh Jackson was suspended for the team’s most recent game against TCU for hitting a parked car and fleeing the scene, and the Jayhawks lost the game. Jackson has also been involved in a high-profile incident involving a member of the women’s basketball team at the school in which he vandalized her car.
While off-the-court issues dog Jackson, coach Bill Self said emphatically this week he won’t be suspended for any NCAA Tournament games. Jackson is a key member of the team when on the court, averaging 16.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
The star freshman is shooting 51.1 percent from the field and 37.7 percent from three-point range and is expected to be a high pick in the NBA draft after the season. It remains to be seen if the off-court controversies will affect Jackson in this game.
Player to Watch
Chima Moneke -- UC Davis will be outmanned everywhere on the court, and its best chance is to slow the game down and score in the paint on easy buckets. There will be a lot put on Moneke, who is one of the team’s best overall players.
The 6-foot-6 junior forward is averaging 14.4 points and 9.4 rebounds per contest. He is shooting 52.2 percent from the field and also adding 1.5 blocks per contest. Moneke came to the United States from Nigeria to play basketball and while it’s hard for him to be away from his parents, he has made the best of his opportunity.
Moneke played well in a 67-63 win over NC Central in the First Four, scoring 18 points and hauling down 12 rebounds.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
UC Davis picked up its first March Madness win in school history against NC Central and the team believes it can hang in against Kansas. That type of belief is essential, but the Jayhawks are just too talented across the board.
Between Jackson and Frank Mason, Kansas has a pair of elite players who should be able to put together big games and help Kansas cruise to the win. The only drama left comes from the spread and which team will cover.
College Basketball Odds: Kansas 84, UC Davis 57
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