Kansas vs. USC Projected Odds: Our Spread, Total for NCAA Tournament Second Round

#3 Kansas vs. #6 USC Odds

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How USC & Kansas Match Up

What To Know About Kansas

After a rocky period in January, the Jayhawks turned a corner. The main reason was the improvement of David McCormack's play. The junior big man looked overwhelmed by his increased role early in the season. In Kansas’ first 15 games, he was scoring 11.5 points and 9.4 field goal attempts per game, while shooting only 45.4% from the field. Kansas fans and critics were clamoring for McCormack’s minutes to shrink in favor of small-ball lineups.

He responded to the tune of 15.8 points on 11.4 field-goal attempts and 57% field goal shooting. McCormack’s development has opened things for all of his teammates on the perimeter as well. That said, the defense carries the weight for the Jayhawks. They are downright stingy on that end led by one of the best on-ball defenders in the country in Marcus Garrett.

McCormack was one of two Jayhawks ruled out of the Big 12 Tournament due to COVID-19 protocols, but the team said it hopes to have him back for the start of the NCAA Tournament. If fully healthy, the defense will keep them in any game but the question is can Kansas get a dominant McCormack on the interior to go along with consistent outside shooting? Bill Self won't go down without a fight, but it feels like this team is a year away. — Shane McNichol

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What To Know About USC

Known for his Dunk City Florida Gulf Coast team in 2013, Andy Enfield has had a breakthrough at USC this season thanks to freshman Evan Mobley. Mobley is scoring 16.1 with 8.6 rebounds per game while blocking 2.9 shots and shooting 58.2% from the field. The Trojans rank 16th in the nation, according to KenPom, and are 14th in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Having finished in a virtual tie atop the Pac-12 in the regular season, USC will go as far as Mobley takes it in March Madness. This team has elite size, which enables them to dominate on the offensive boards and in defense at the rim. However, their free throw shooting is very troublesome at 64.7% ((327th). — Matt Trebby