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Kansas’ odds to win March Madness following Round of 64

By Reed Wallach

Kansas' Dajuan Harris Jr. brings the ball down the court during the NCAA men's basketball tournament first round match-up between Kansas and Howard, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Wells Fargo Arena, in Des Moines, Iowa.Kk10261 Arw
Kansas' Dajuan Harris Jr. brings the ball down the court during the NCAA men's basketball tournament first round match-up between Kansas and Howard, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Wells Fargo Arena, in Des Moines, Iowa.Kk10261 Arw /
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The Kansas Jayhawks began their National Championship defense in emphatic fashion, beating No. 16 seed in the West Region Howard 96-68.

The No. 1 seed Jayhawks now face SEC foe No. 8 Arkansas in the Round of 32 in hopes of making the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year. Despite winning and covering as massive favorites on Thursday afternoon, the Jayhawks saw their odds surge in the National Championship market considering what else happened in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

Kansas is now +1300 to go back-to-back.

No. 2 seed in the South Region Arizona, who was +1500 to cut down the nets, lost in shocking fashion to Princeton while Midwest Region No. 1 Houston struggled to take care of No. 16 seed Northern Kentucky in the night session. The Cougars leading scorer Marcus Sasser, who has been dealing with a strained groin, reaggravated his injury in the first half of the team’s victory, leaving his status in doubt for Saturday’s matchup against No. 8 seed Auburn.

Here are the updated National Championship odds following the first half of the Round of 64:

2023 National Championship Odds

Arkansas vs. Kansas odds, spread and total

Kansas is laying 3.5 points against Arkansas, who is a team that has been searching for consistent, elite play all season with injuries to the likes of future NBA first round pick Nick Smith Jr. However, the Razorbacks looked their best in Thursday’s opener, handling Illinois 73-63.

Kansas will need to contain Arkansas’ ability to draw contact and get to the free throw line, the team took 29 free throws in the win and grabbed eight more rebounds than their Big Ten foe. If KU, who has a short bench, can stay disciplined and keep the Razorbacks out along the perimeter, they will likely be back in the Sweet 16. Kansas is a middle of the pack three-point shooting team, but Arkansas finds themselves outside the top 300.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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