Kansas Jayhawks vs Arkansas Razorbacks Predictions: NCAA Round of 32
The first round of the NCAA Tournament was full of upsets, but the Kansas Jayhawks left no doubt with their first round victory over the Howard Bison. Up next will be a tough Arkansas Razorbacks team that has a lot of confidence in their ability to hang with the Jayhawks.
Will the Jayhawks use the unexpected results on Friday as extra motivation to make sure that they don't get added to the list today? Or will the potential absence of Bill Self already give them enough reason to come out hot? And of course, will Kansas come out hot or will they need to play from behind? Our crew weighs in below.
Do you disagree with our assessment? Make sure you read them all and then hop over to the Discord or on Twitter to share your own thoughts.
Kyle Davis
Check out our Arkansas Preview for Kyle's full breakdown and prediction.
Derek Noll
Arkansas isn’t an ideal opponent to play this early in the tournament, but when you’re a one seed, you always have a tough second round opponent. KU will be ready and the offensive performance against a sped up Howard team was a positive, but as Norm Roberts said after the game, the defense has to improve. I think it will, and I think it comes down to mentality. Kansas knew they didn;t have to play tough D to beat the Bison, and they know they will in order to beat the Razorbacks. I think Kansas gets it done and heads to Vegas and the Sweet 16.
Kansas 77, Arkansas 72.
Brendan Dzwierzynski
With the news breaking that Bill Self isn’t coaching Saturday, I feel even worse about this matchup. Not that Norm Roberts can’t coach and hasn’t done a great job in his stead, but because no one in college basketball is better at knowing when to push the right buttons at the right time than Self. Plus, Roberts mentioning this week that Texas is the closest Big 12 comparison for Arkansas isn’t exactly encouraging. Arkansas’s athleticism is freakish and teams like that have given KU plenty of problems. Kansas can win with a lockdown defensive effort and an all-around scoring effort, but I have legitimate concern.
Kansas 76, Arkansas 75.
Lucas Murphy
The Kansas Jayhawks defeated Howard and advanced to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. One thing I felt going into this tournament is that, if the Jayhawks can get an even contribution of points, rebounds, and assists they could be back-to-back national champions. Essentially, if they were getting the type of play we saw against Howard, granted that was a 16 seed, but we witnessed the roster from top to bottom contribute. The Razorbacks will be no easy task and they will bring the force. One concern I have is if Bill Self can not go on the sideline. I want him to get healthy and that is what is most important, but the Kansas Jayhawks’ basketball program is Bill Self and he can get the best out of each player. Not saying Norm Roberts can’t just Bill Self is a two-time National Champion and hall of fame coach for a reason.
Kansas 78, Arkansas 72.
Andy Mitts
The Jayhawks will have some work to do in today's game, but while the Razorbacks have a defense that fits in with the Big 12, their offense is well behind the teams that have given Kansas trouble. And while Kansas didn't have a huge challenge on Thursday, the defense played by Kevin McCullar in his return has to be encouraging for Kansas fans. And to Brendan's point about Bill Self not coaching, I think McCullar brings a heavy dose of basketball IQ back onto the floor that will help mitigate that issue.
Arkansas is not a great three point shooting team, and they also don't hit free throws at a great clip. The real test will be how the guards can prevent penetration into the lane and if KJ Adams and Ernest Udeh can clean up anything that makes its way in there. I think they do that fairly well and this isn't as close as people think.
Kansas 77, Arkansas 64.
Join the discussion! Come talk about this or any of our articles on the Blue Wing Rising Discord Server.
Follow Blue Wings Rising on Twitter.
Listen to the official podcast of Blue Wings Rising: The Rock Chalk Podcast.
