After a close call against Cal Baptist, which is something no Kansas fan ever wants to hear in the NCAA Tournament, the Jayhawks are still dancing into the Round of 32. The Lancers did go away quietly and nearly gave Kansas the nightmare upset they feared as a four-seed.
Now, Bill Self will take on fellow college basketball legend Rick Pitino, which is what is bound to be an electric matchup. Kansas and St. John's are two storied programs in the history of college basketball, and they are bound to give the fans everything they could want in an NCAA Tournament game.
The Jayhawks are a slight underdog to the Red Storm, but that has never bothered Kansas before.
Kansas vs. St. John's final odds, spread, and total in the Round of 32
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- Kansas: +3.5 (-114)
- St. John's -3.5 (-106)
Moneyline
- Kansas: +140
- St. John's: -170
Total
- O/U: 144.5 (-105/-115)
Player specific odds for Kansas vs. St. John's in the Round of 32
- Darryn Peterson (KU): +/- 23.5 points
- Flory Bidunga (KU): +/- 11.5 points
- Tre White (KU): +/- 11.5 points
- Melvin Council Jr. (KU): +/- 10.5 points
- Zuby Ejiofor (SJU): +/- 16.5 points
- Bryce Hopkins (SJU): +/- 13.5 points
- Oziyah Sellers (SJU): +/- 9.5 points
- Dylan Darling (SJU): +/- 8.5 points
It is no surprise that Darryn Peterson, yet again, is projected to be the leading scorer for the Jayhawks, especially after a 28-point performance against Cal Baptist in the first round. St. John's will be a much tougher matchup though in the Round of 32, and could find better ways to stop Peterson.
Bill Self and the Jayhawks are very familiar with Zuby Ejiofor, as he was once wearing a Kansas jersey and playing in Lawrence. Ejiofor, however, chose to hit the transfer portal and wound up playing for another legendary coach at St. John's, and he will be a tough guy to keep in check.
Final score prediction: Kansas 72, St. John's 68
After Cal Baptist held Kansas to just 68 points, I predict this will be another lower-scoring affair by the standards of the Jayhawks. The Red Storm will not be an easy team to take down, but I predict a late big shot by Kansas, potentially from senior Melvin Council Jr., that will make it a two-possession game and force St. John's to start fouling, giving Kansas the win.