KU Basketball: Where to Watch Jayhawks vs Villanova

KU basketball faces its toughest challenge yet in the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Kansas will look to try and beat a Villanova team who has laid waste to its side of the South region with victory margins of 30, 19, and 23 against UNC-Asheville, Iowa, the University of Miami, respectively.

Kansas has also looked strong so far, and does not project to be an easy double digit victory for Villanova. Kansas has won comfortably in three consecutive games as well against Austin Peay, Connecticut, and Maryland.

Each team will certainly be the other’s greatest test this tournament, and possibly this season. What can we expect from this matchup of juggernauts from the South region? Here’s some quick tidbits.

Statistical Advantages for Kansas

Statistical Advantages for Villanova

Ranked higher (3rd) in SOS-adjusted offensive efficiency than Kansas (9th) according to Pomeroy
Turns the ball over less frequently per possession (Turns ball over 16.0% of possessions) and offensive play (14.3%) than Kansas (17.2% and 15.5% respectively)
Steals the ball more often per possession (9.9%) and defensive play (8.8%) than Kansas (9.3% and 8.2% respectively)
Allows lower overall floor percentage (43.3%) than Kansas (45.2%)
Records more assists per game (16.5) than Kansas (15.6)

Quick Predictions

I expect this to be a high scoring game even though both are solid defensive teams. Kansas must lock down the perimeter in order to limit Villanova’s three point shooting.

Perry Ellis guarding 6’6 Kris Jenkins on the perimeter is a slight problem which may have to be addressed with a smaller lineup by Kansas. Villanova will rely solely on its offensive system to win this game.

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If things go south for Villanova, they don’t have one individual talent to take over and grind out a victory. If Kansas limits their turnovers and stays competitive defensively on the perimeter, then Kansas should win this game due to sheer attrition.

Quick Betting Opinions

Spread: Kansas (-2)/Villanova (+2)
I’m inclined to take Kansas because both these teams are great at a lot of things, but Kansas has the best player in Ellis. This is why I think Kansas is most likely to win, and I would probably take Kansas (-2) if given the choice. It’s a pretty risky bet though.

Over/Under: (+/-145.5)
This is another close bet also. Both teams average over 77 points per game. Although I think that this game will more likely be a high scoring affair, I’m afraid I can’t say with 100 percent certainty whether that will be the case on this particular night.

Each team’s ball movement is spectacular, and both take full advantage of the three point line. This leads me believe that these teams will score at least 146 points total, but this is another risky bet because both defenses have proven to be very good.

Game Info: Where to watch

Tip-Off: 8:49 p.m. ET
City: Louisville, KY
Stadium: KFC Yum! Center
Television Broadcast: CBS
Live Video Stream: March Madness Live (Make sure you have Adobe Flash)
Live Audio Stream: Westwood One Sports
Local Radio: Westwood One Station Finder

Next: Is Bill Self the greatest Kansas Basketball coach of all-time?

Do you think Kansas or Villanova will win this game and advance to the Final Four?

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