Yahoo Sports 2024 NCAA Tournament: Predictions, picks, odds for Samford-Kansas March Madness game
It's opening day for March Madness, and one of college basketball's most storied programs will help close it out.
The No. 4 Kansas Jayhawks are set to take on the No. 13 Samford Bulldogs in the first round of the NCAA Division I men's tournament.
Kansas, who won a title two years ago, is looking to make another deep run in its (technically) 34th straight appearance – though their 2018 appearance and Final Four run was vacated by the NCAA. Samford is making its first tournament appearance since 2000 after winning the Southern Conference tournament for the first time.
Here's everything to know about Thursday's round of 64 clash.
March Madness predictions: Bracket picks for Thursday's first round of the men's NCAA Tournament
Samford vs. Kansas predictions
The Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas 75, Samford 69
Jordan Guskey writes, "Samford will give Kansas problems. The Bulldogs will get hot from behind the arc in stretches. But the Jayhawks are going to be able to persevere."
The Sporting News: Samford has a good chance to cover the spread
Kyle Irving writes, "If either [Hunter] Dickinson or [Kevin] McCullar are out of the lineup, Samford has a strong chance to cover. If neither of them plays, don't be surprised to see the Bulldogs pull off an improbable upset."
(Note: Kansas head coach Bill Self has already revealed McCullar will miss the tournament due to injury. Dickinson appears to be in-line to play.)
Pickswise: Take the points for the Bulldogs
Chad Hartsock writes, "The Bulldogs rebound well, but they aren’t big, and I can’t imagine they will win on the glass against Dickinson and crew. But the glaring weakness for the Bulldogs is that they give up a ton of 3s, themselves. But — and this is the key for me — Kansas shoots fewer 3s than just about any major team in the nation, so it is not likely to exploit that weakness."
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Samford vs. Kansas: Odds, spread and lines for March Madness
Kansas are favorites to defeat Samford in Thursday's March Madness matchup according to the BetMGM college basketball odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering sports betting promos in 2024.
Odds as of Wednesday.
Spread: Kansas (-7.5)
Moneyline: Kansas (-350); Samford (+260)
Over/under: 152.5
How to watch Samford vs. Kansas: TV, streaming and schedule
When: Thursday, March 21 at 9:55 p.m. ET
Where: Delta Center, Salt Lake City, Utah
Cable TV: TBS
Streaming: Paramount+; NCAA March Madness Live app
How to watch NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness 2024
All games will be broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV. Here are additional streaming options to watch all the action on your devices.
Stream through Paramount+
Stream through HULU with Live TV
Stream through DirecTV Stream
How to watch March Madness: Watch all tournament games with a subscription to fuboTV
Printable March Madness bracket
You can find a printable bracket for the men's tournament here.
A women's tournament printable bracket is available here.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Samford vs. Kansas: Predictions, picks, odds for March Madness game
