The Kansas Jayhawks may have been playing possum in the Big 12 Tournament. Their loss to TCU likely cost them the No. 1 overall seed and showed the little guys that Goliath could be tamed. I guess Kansas didn’t want the burden of the top overall team, and after watching what happened to Villanova, it isn’t surprising. But the Jayhawks are rolling after winning their first two NCAA Tournament games by a combined 58 points. Up next are the Purdue Boilermakers in the Sweet 16.
This war on the floor will go down Thursday, March 23, 2017, at 9:39 p.m. ET at the Sprint Center. The game will be televised live on CBS. We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Sunday schedule.
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After playing their first two games as the favored team and covering them both, the Boilermakers will be the underdog against the mighty Jayhawks. Purdue played as the underdog just three times during the year and went 0-3 SU and ATS. Those games were against stiff competition in Villanova, Louisville and Michigan, so it isn’t out of the realm to expect the Boilermakers to crumble. But reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2010 and avoiding an epic collapse against Iowa State on Saturday has the Boilers feeling pretty good about their chances.
Kansas has looked like a No. 1 seed by dismantling its first two opponents to reach the Sweet 16 and having Josh Jackson back in the lineup has certainly helped. With Jackson sidelined due to a suspension, Kansas stumbled in its Big 12 tourney opener, losing to TCU as an 8-point favorite. Jackson has shown why he’s a potential lottery pick by leading KU to wins over UC Davis and Michigan State by a combined 58 points, covering both games and cashing the over. Purdue should be a test, but the Spartans were supposed to give them a game too.
Scheduling Situation
The Jayhawks will travel 35 miles from campus to the Sprint Center for its Sweet 16 matchup in its home away from home. With the regional scheduled in Kansas City and the Jayhawks placed in the Midwest, the idea of playing on what is essentially a home court certainly served as motivation. The Jayhawks routinely play non-conference games in KC and went 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS this season.
The Big 12 Tournament is also played in Kansas City, but the Jayhawks didn’t have as much luck earlier this month, losing to TCU 85-82. However, the Jayhawks played without Jackson, who was suspended for a game after off-court transgressions. Still, the game will have a home court feel for Kansas and that should be enough to lift them into the Elite Eight.
Player to Watch
Kansas has the edge in the backcourt with Frank Mason and Devonte’ Graham, and has talented swing player Josh Jackson, but the biggest role for the Jayhawks will be that of Landen Lucas containing Caleb Swanigan. The Boilers enjoyed much success this season, winning the Big Ten regular season crown, and Swanigan was the biggest reason why. He’s also a candidate for national player of the year honors after racking up 27 double-doubles this season.
Lucas is the closest thing KU has to interior presence and Purdue will try to exploit that with Swanigan. Lucas has played well in the Tournament, averaging 11.5 points and 11 rebounds and will need to be a force on glass while containing Purdue’s leading scorer in the paint.
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The Jayhawks have plenty working in their favor as they head into this Sweet 16 matchup. First off, the game is in their backyard and will have a home court feel. Second, Jackson has returned from his suspension and is playing his best basketball. He had one of finest all-around games in the second round win over Michigan State and it was his defense that turned the tide in that one. His play, along with that of Mason has the Jayhawks poised for a nice run.
Don’t count out Purdue, though. The Boilers finally got over the hump and withstood a late rally by a good Iowa State team in the second round. Losing a 19-point second half lead and falling behind by a pair late wasn’t good, but they found a way to pull the game out and Swanigan provided a key offensive rebound. Kansas needs to contain Purdue’s inside game, but they have the talent to do that and advance.
College Basketball Odds: Kansas 77, Purdue 69
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