Last Updated on March 20, 2010 3:00 pm by drew
Kansas-N. Iowa Pick
Kansas looks to be the first No. 1 seed to advance to the Sweet Sixteen on Saturday when the Jayhawks face Northern Iowa in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
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These two teams will battle it out in the Midwest Regional from Ford Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at 5:40PM ET. Kansas is the No. 1 seed while Northern Iowa is the No. 9 seed.
Oddsmakers from online sports book BroburySports.com have made Kansas a 11.5-point favorite over Northern Iowa on Saturday afternoon. The over/under has been set at 127.
Kansas has appeared in 26 Sweet Sixteens in program history. The Jayhawks reached the second round with a 90-74 win over No. 16 Lehigh in the first round of the tournament. The Jayhawks shot 55 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from 3-point land in the win. Kansas out-rebound Lehigh 40-29 in the win. Marcus Morris had 26 points and 10 rebounds for the Jayhawks while Sherron Collins had 18 points and six assists. Tyrel Reed added 12 points off the bench.
Northern Iowa has not reached the Sweet Sixteen in school history but is playing in the second round for the first time since 1990. The Panthers defeated No. 8 UNLV 69-66 in the opening round of the tournament. Despite committing 16 turnovers, the Panthers managed to get the win by hitting 20 of 23 free throw attempts. Ali Farokhmanesh led NIU with 17 points while Kwadzo Ahelegbe added 13 points and Adam Koch had 11 points and six rebounds.
Northern Iowa is a solid team, but with the point spread narrowly into double digits, we expect Kansas to be able to cover. It is clear that the Jayhawks are going to have the more talented team on the floor and when the Jayhawks get going, nobody can stay with them in this tournament.
Our NCAA Tournament Free Pick for this matchup is: KANSAS -11.5 and OVER 127
March Madness Betting Trends
Northern Iowa is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Kansas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
March Madness Injury Report
KANSAS
[G] 12/12/2009 – Mario Little expected to redshirt ( None )
[G] 12/12/2009 – Travis Releford expected to redshirt ( None )
[G] 02/27/2010 – C.J. Henry out indefinitely ( Tailbone )
NORTHERN IOWA
No Injuries Reported
March Madness Game Odds
Kansas Jayhawks -11.5 Over 127
Northern Iowa Panthers +11.5 Under 127
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Posted: 3/20/10 3:00PM ET