Sweet 16: Kansas Jayhawks (1) vs. Richmond Spiders (12) Fri. March 25, 2011 7:27 p.m. EST

Coming into last season’s NCAA Tournament, the Kansas Jayhawks (1) were arguably the team to beat during March Madness as most people believed they were the best team in college basketball and destined to win an NCAA title. Even though this was the consensus of most fans and college basketball analysts this turned out to be far from the truth as the Jayhawks were bounced in the second round by Northern Iowa.

There was no doubt that this upset was the biggest upset of last year’s tournament, but this time around the Kansas Jayhawks (1) have been able to avoid a devastating upset as they were able to get past Boston University Terriers (72-53) and the Illinois Fighting Illini (73-59). Now the Kansas Jayhawks (1) have officially reached the Sweet 16 and will face off against a surprisingly good Richmond Spiders (12) squad.

Out of all the number one seeds in this 2011 NCAA Tournament (Ohio State, Duke, Pittsburgh), the Jayhawks have had arguably the easiest path to the Sweet 16 and to the Elite 8 if they can avoid the upset against the Spiders. Even though this may be the case and Kansas (1) could have the easiest game of any of the top seeds in the Sweet 16, the Jayhawks won’t be taking the Spiders lightly as they have that loss to Northern Iowa embedded in the back of their minds.

As of right now, the Kansas Jayhawks (1) have been favored to win this game and for good reason. With a -10.5 point spread, the Jayhawks have been predicted to dominate the Spiders on Friday night, but I don’t believe this will be an easy win for Bill Self and company.

Take the Spiders at +10.5.

Leading online sportsbooks show the following odds and spreads on this game:

Bodog Sportsbook:
Spread: Kansas Jayhawks +10.5 & Richmond Spiders -10.5
Moneyline: Kansas Jayhawks +575 & Richmond Spiders -725
Over/Under: Kansas Jayhawks 110 Richmond Spiders 110 under (136)

Bookmaker Sportsbook:
Spread: Kansas Jayhawks +10.5 & Richmond Spiders -10.5
Moneyline: Kansas Jayhawks +575 & Richmond Spiders -725
Over/Under: Kansas Jayhawks 110 Richmond Spiders 110 under (135.5)

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