The title game is set with the eighth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels (29-9) battling the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks (33-6). North Carolina and Kansas, two of college’s richest basketball programs, face off for the fifth time in the Final Four and the second in the title match.
Both schools have a pair of victories in the tournament, UNC winning the 1957 championship and 1993 semifinals, while the Jayhawks have semifinal victories in 1991 and 2008.
Monday’s NCAA Tournament finale tips off at 9:20 p.m. EST inside the Ceasers Superdome in New Orleans, LA. Kansas is a 4-point favorite, and the over-under is at 152 points.
What to Know – #8 North Carolina Tar Heels
North Carolina is back in the title game for the first time since its championship run in 2017. The Tar Heels are 6-5 in championship games and can become the second eighth seed to win it all since Villanova in 1985.
The Tar Heels score 78.1 points per game on offense, hitting 45.1% of their shots from the field and 36.2% from beyond the arc. North Carolina’s defense surrenders 71.3 points per game, 42.5% shooting from the floor and 33.7% from the 3-point line.
The second game of the Final Four was another chapter in the historic rivalry between UNC and Duke. North Carolina pulled away late in the second half, ending Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching career after 42 seasons on the Duke sideline. Caleb Love poured in a game-high 28 points, and Armando Bacot added 11 points and 21 rebounds.
North Carolina is 21-16-1 against the spread with a 6-4 mark ATS playing at a neutral location. In their previous five contests, the Tar Heels are 5-0 ATS playing as an underdog.
What to Know – #1 Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks are playing in the school’s 10th title game, where Kansas has a 3-6 record. Kansas is 1-1 in the National Championship under head coach Bill Self.
On offense, Kansas averages 78.4 points per game behind 47.9% shooting from the floor and 36.1% from deep. The Jayhawks limit opponents to 67.2 points per game, 40.9% shooting from the field and 30.1% from three.
Kansas built up a double-digit halftime lead and kept Villanova’s runs in check to punch its ticket to the 2022 title. Four players scored in double-figures for the Jayhawks, led by David McCormack with 25. Ochai Agbai chipped in 21 points, knocking down 6-of-7 shots from the arc.
The Jayhawks are 20-19 ATS and 8-5 ATS on a neutral floor. Kansas is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games when favored.
The Pick is In
These two teams have met in the NCAA Tournament more than any other pairing in history. Throw the seeding out the window, these teams are here for a reason, and it is because they are playing at an elite level.
Kansas is due for a title banner, but UNC has shown time and time again this tournament they can step up.
Betting Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels +4
