The UNLV Rebels take on Kansas in the NCAA tournament Saturday and Jeff Alexander says the Jayhawks will cover the spread. Oddmakers from online sportsbook Bodog opened the line at Kansas –12.5, but the line has since risen to Kansas –13.5.
Alexander writes: I expect UNLV’s inexperience to really show in this matchup against a very experienced Jayhawks squad. Kansas made a trip to the Elite 8 last season and the Jayhawks will not be satisfied with anything less than a National Championship this time around. I expect Kansas to come out running and gunning to get the tempo going in its favor. While UNLV has been good defensively this season, it has not had to play a team which is better than them at every position. UNLV will have to work so hard defensively against Kansas that it will not have enough energy on the offensive end. Kansas scores 81.6ppg and holds its opponents to just 61.6. No team in the country, with the exception of UCLA perhaps, is as good on both ends of the floor. I like the Jayhawks to move on with ease.
Public betting information currently shows that of the 19,618 wagers placed on tonight’s game, 68% of bettors favor Kansas –13.5. Accuscore agrees with the public and has made Kansas a 79% favorite over the Rebels of UNLV.
Some trends to consider:
-UNLV is 38-23 ATS (+12.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
-UNLV is 38-23 ATS (+12.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
-UNLV is 21-10 ATS (+10.0 Units) when the total is 130 to 139.5 over the last 3 seasons.
-UNLV is 56-36 ATS (+16.4 Units) as an underdog since 1997.
-UNLV is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) in March games since 1997.
-UNLV is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons.
-UNLV is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) when playing with one or less days rest over the last 2 seasons.
-UNLV is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games after a non-conference game over the last 2 seasons.
-UNLV is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in non-conference games this season.
-UNLV is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
-UNLV is 20-10 ATS (+9.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons.
-UNLV is 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) versus good defensive teams – allowing <=64 points/game over the last 2 seasons.
-UNLV is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) versus good offensive teams – scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.
Odds Provided by Bodog – Bet NCAAB Basketball Games at Bodog
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