Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
March Madness is here. It’s going to be a lot different in 2021 with the entire NCAA Tournament in one location, but having been cancelled in 2020 the players are going to be even more enthused than usual and the bettors will be especially eager. With the regular season wining down, it’s time to start looking ahead at the teams that can expect to be serious National Championship contenders. We’ll be breaking them down one by one, and our series continues with the 12th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks.
Kansas Jayhawks basketball
Performance last five NCAA Tournaments: Second Round, Elite Eight, Elite Eight, Final Four, Second Round
Ranking: 12
Coach: Bill Self
Star players: Ochai Agbaji, Marcus Garrett
Main strengths: Experience and confidence (8-1 in last nine, haven’t lost in regulation since Feb. 6)
Biggest weakness: Outside shooting (other than Agbaji)
Record: 20-8
Kansas Jayhawks NCAA Tournament Odds
Kansas Jayhawks outlook
The Jayhawks’ recent win over Baylor may have given them hope for something better than a No. 4 seed and a decent draw, but that did not turn out to be the case. USC in the second round would be tough, and it would only get more difficult if Iowa is their Sweet 16 opponent. Being in the West Region with top-ranked Gonzaga doesn’t help matters, either. Coronavirus concerns have also added to Kansas’ plate. Still, this team has the talent to make a run. When guard Marcus Garrett and power forward David McCormack are playing well, as they did against the Bears, Kansas can compete with anyone. Ochai Agbaji, Jalen Wilson, and Christian Braun are also averaging double-figures in points. The Jayhawks go 10 deep, which should serve them well during the grind that is March Madness. Dating back to the Roy Williams era, Kansas has churned out Final Four appearances at an impressive rate despite winning it all only once (2008).
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