Kansas-Northeastern Betting Odds: Opening Spread, Analysis for 2019 NCAA Tournament

#4 Kansas vs. #13 Northeastern NCAA Tournament Betting Odds

• Spread: Kansas -8.5
• Over/Under: 144.5
• Date: Thursday, March 21
• Time:  4 p.m. ET
• Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
• TV: 4 p.m. ET

Kansas's Statistical Profile

It has been a subpar season for Bill Self's squad this year as far as expectations go. The Jayhawks lost center Udoka Azubuikie in early January due to torn right knee ligaments suffered in a practice injury.

Kansas suffered a second blow when guard Lagerald Vick, the team's second-leading scorer at 14.1 ppg, took a leave of absence on Feb. 7. Self announced on March 11 that Vick will not be returning for the team, leaving it extremly short-handed heading into the NCAA Tournament.

The Jayhawks did little to inspire confidence in the Big 12 Tournament semfinals, falling to Iowa State, 78-66, in a lackluster effort. — PJ Walsh

• Record: 25-9
• Adj. Efficiency Rank: 16
• Adj. Offensive Efficiency Rank: 31
• Adj. Defensive Efficiency Rank: 14
• Tempo Rank: 67

All advanced metrics via KenPom as of Friday, March 15

Northeastern's Statistical Profile

Northeastern is headed back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2015 after winning the Colonial Athletic conference tournament. The Huskies enter postseason play having won nine of their final 10 regular season games.

The offense has been one of the best in the Colonial despite the Huskies playing part of the year without star guard Vasa Pusica, but he’s now fully healthy and running the show for a very efficient offense with superb ball movement and shooters all over. Northeastern ranks 47th in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency.

The Huskies have a pair of NCAA victories as double-digit seeds, topping sixth-seeded Fresno State in 1981 and sixth-seeded St. Joseph's a year later. Northeastern is 3-8 all time in tournament play and has lost its last six opening NCAA games. — John Ewing

• Record: 23-10
• Adj. Efficiency Rank: 78
• Adj. Offensive Efficiency Rank: 44
• Adj. Defensive Efficiency Rank: 142
• Tempo Rank: 250

All advanced metrics via KenPom as of Friday, March 15

Kansas-Northeastern Instant Bracket, Betting Picks

Kansas (25-9) saw their incredible 14-year Big 12 regular season win streak come to an end, and then lost 78-66 in the Big 12 Conference Tournament finals to Iowa State.

Kansas' offense has struggled all season, especially after the loss of center Udoka Azubuike (13.4 ppg) to injury and LaGerald Vick's (14.1 ppg) leave of absence. Their 3P shooting (35%) and free throw shooting (69.7%) have also been suspect.

The Jayhawks have relied on their defense all season, and will need to do so against the sharpshooting Huskies, who rank 14th in 3P accuracy and 11th in 2P efficiency. Senior guard Vasa Pusica (17.8 ppg, 40% 3P) and junior guard Jordan Roland (14.7 ppg, 41% 3P) are difficult to contain.

This game will swing on whether Kansas' offense can outplay the Huskies' defense. Which weak link will be better?

• Early ATS lean: Northeastern
• Early bracket pick: Kansas — Mike Randle

Sean Koerner's Kansas-Northeastern Projections

Sean Koerner's proprietary projections also power our Bracket Simulator, which helps you find the most optimal bracket for your pool size.

• Spread: Kansas -11
• Total: 142.5
• Proj Score: Kansas 77 | Northeastern 66
• Win Probability: Kansas 86.3% | Northeastern 13.7%