The Villanova Wildcats are a newer national power with the Final Four odds. Although Nova is not a historic blue blood, they are quite Nouveau Riche. Head coach Jay Wright is the reason why. Before Wright arrived, Villanova was best known for its Cinderella run ending with an upset of Georgetown for the 1985 national championship. Most observers realized that the Nova win was an accident in the grand scheme of things. Indeed, the Wildcats never came close to such heights again. They went back to being a good but not great program until the arrival of Jay Wright.
2022 Final Four Villanova Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks
| Date and Time: | Saturday, April 2, 2022, p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Final Four TV Coverage: | TBS |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Villanova | +4½ (-110) | 133 (-110) | +165 |  |
| Kansas | -4½ (-110) | 133 (-110) | -190 | |
| ||||
Villanova Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks SBG Odds Overview
As mentioned earlier, Villanova is not a pure blue blood. However, they are a fully established power sportsbook brand today. On Saturday, Nova will face an old money college basketball power in the Final Four. The Kansas Jayhawks epitomize college basketball blue blood royalty. Kansas basketball has a brand that is generational with fans and gamblers. Thus, KU commands more of a branding presence on the board than Villanova. But the Jayhawks play in the tougher Big 12 Conference. And that is part of their price too.
Villanova Wildcats Team Overview
Overall, Villanova stands at 30-7 straight up, 20-16-1 against the spread, and 17-20 under the total. Nova ranks 115th out of 350 teams for scoring offense and 36th for points allowed. In particular, the Wildcats are the nation’s top free throw shooting team. Nova has seen the payout window in five of their last six games. The Wildcats are 1-6 under the total in their previous seven tilts. Of great concern is that guard Justin Moore is out for the rest of the season with an Achilles injury. Collin Gillespie leads Nova with 15.6 points per game.
Kansas Jayhawks Team Overview
Kansas brings a mark of 32-6 straight up, 19-18-1 against the spread, and 20-18 over the total. Overall, KU ranks 29th in the nation for scoring offense and 168th for points allowed. Kansas ranks 20th in the country for defending 3-point field goals. Late on, KU has visited the cashier’s cage in six of their last eight outings. In comparison, the Jayhawks have gone under the total in seven of their previous ten games. First among Kansas scorers is All-American senior Ochai Agbaji, with 18.9 points per game.
Villanova Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks Against the Spread
- Villanova has covered the spread in five consecutive games against Kansas
- The Wildcats are 4-1 straight up vs. the Jayhawks
- Villanova is 1-4 under the total vs. Big 12 opponents
- Kansas and Villanova are 2-4 under the total in their series
- KU has won six of their last seven games straight up against the Big East
- KU has gotten the cash in six of their last eight as chalk
Villanova Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks SBG Free Picks
In this situation, Villanova enters Final Four betting action shorthanded without Moore. Kansas is riding a powerful wave of momentum for this matchup. Most important of all, KU will have the best player on the court in Agbaji.
Villanova vs. Kansas Best Bet: Kansas Jayhawks.