Kansas is a popular national championship pick but the road has already toughened considerably after it cruised to a first round win. Michigan State has been inconsistent all season but always seems to play well in March and would love to pull this upset.
Of all the second round matchups involving top seeds, Kansas seems like it could be one of the most in danger of losing. However, the Jayhawks are still clearly the superior team and should be a pretty comfortable favorite.
At 5:15 p.m. ET, tune into CBS for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Sunday, March 19, 2017, at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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College Basketball Odds
Michigan State is 20-14 straight up and 18-15 against the spread. The Spartans have played in eight neutral site games on the season, covering in half of them. Michigan State was a slight underdog against Miami but cruised to a 20-point victory. The Spartans are just 6-9 against the spread as the underdog this season despite the great showing in the first round.
Kansas is 29-4 straight up and 12-18-1 against the spread. The Jayhawks have played in seven neutral site games and have covered in four of them. They covered easily against UC Davis in a100-62 romp in the first round. Kansas is only 9-17-1 against the spread as the favorite on the season.
Player to Watch
Josh Jackson -- The talented Kansas freshman has been in the news for the wrong reasons of late. He was suspended for the team’s game in the Big 12 Tournament for fleeing after hitting a parked car, and has also been accused of vandalism on a different car.
Jackson will play throughout the NCAA Tournament despite the off-field issues and hopes to put it all behind him. He had 17 points and seven rebounds in only 23 minutes of play in the first round, hitting 8-of-12 shots from the field.
There is no denying Jackson’s ability, as he is averaging 16.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per contest. Between him and Frank Mason III, the Jayhawks have one of the most talented duos in the Big Dance. Jackson hopes to make headlines for his play on the court the rest of the way.
Key Stat
56.6. That’s the percentage Michigan State shot from the field in the easy win over Miami, and Izzo thought his team played some of the best ball he has seen in years after the first seven minutes. The Spartans only average 72.7 points per game but surpassed that easily in this one, and if they are hitting their shots against Kansas, it could get interesting in a hurry.
The Spartans also had a decisive rebounding edge over Miami, but that will be much harder to come by against a Kansas team with some athletic big men.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Michigan State played much better than it has all season in the first round against Miami. The Spartans are known for their deep runs in March Madness, and would love to do so again this year.
However, Michigan State isn’t as talented as in years past, and it gets a really tough second round matchup. While the Spartans are a common sight in the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet Sixteen, it won’t be the case this year.
The Jayhawks are a No. 1 seed for a reason and shouldn’t have too much trouble dispatching the Spartans. Don’t get too caught up in one blowout win. Michigan State doesn’t have the talent to compete with the Jayhawks.
College Basketball Odds: Kansas 79, Michigan State 66
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