Florida Atlantic Owls vs Kansas State Wildcats 3/25/23 – Kansas State Wildcats will square off against Florida Atlantic Owls, making just their second appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Although Kansas State is a much bigger name, college basketball betting lines favor the Wildcats against the Owls by a wide margin.
Florida Atlantic Owls vs Kansas State Wildcats
Date & Time: Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 6:09 PM ET
Location: Madison Square Garden
TV: TBS
Florida Atlantic Owls vs Kansas State Wildcats Betting Odds
Florida Atlantic
Moneyline: +110
Spread: +2.0 (-110)
Total: 144.5 over (-110)
Kansas State
Moneyline: -130
Spread: -2.0 (-110)
Total: 144.5 under (-110)
Florida Atlantic Owls vs Kansas State Wildcats Analysis
Florida Atlantic Owls boasts a well-rounded team, ranking in the top 30 for adjusted offense and defense according to Ken Pomeroy’s metrics. After beating Memphis by one point in the first round, they didn’t have to face No. 1 Purdue until Thursday night when Florida Atlantic rallied for an impressive comeback victory over Tennessee that held them to just 55 points and allowed only 33 field goals – showing why they belong in this tournament! Johnell Davis is Florida Atlantic’s leading scorer with 13.9 PPG. He led Florida Atlantic with 15 points on Thursday night and is making 50% of his field goals and 38.8% of his threes, as well as being their go-to free throw shooter at 85% from the line; Tennessee often sent him to the line at the end of games to lock in wins. Davis had an excellent performance last week against Fairleigh Dickinson when he scored 29 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, had five assists and stole five steals. Florida Atlantic currently has four players making between 37.5% and 40% of their threes; Davis is among them, while Bryan Greenlee stands as the most accurate shooter at 39.8% from beyond the arc.
Markquis Nowell has had an incredible March Madness so far, leading Kansas State’s charge to the Elite Eight with 64 points, 42 assists and 11 steals through three games. Even though he’s taken some unwise deep threes this stretch, Nowell is 21 for 44 from the floor which indicates his improved shooting efficiency. Despite what teams have thrown at him throughout this stretch of games, Nowell has shown incredible vision and creativity while creating opportunities despite struggling with turnovers. Keyontae Johnson is Kansas State’s second-most crucial player for reaching the Final Four. Through three games, Johnson has 53 points and is hitting 23 of 47 shots from the field; however, his offensive rebounding hasn’t been great and his perimeter shooting hasn’t been great either. During the regular season, Johnson averaged 7.0 RPG and made 40.5% of his threes; therefore, Kansas State would love to get another performance like that on Saturday against Florida State. Kansas State was not great on defense against Michigan State, but they have been a reliable defensive unit this season. Opponents are making just 30.5% of their three-point attempts against Kansas State, and the Wildcats force many turnovers as well.
Florida Atlantic Owls vs Kansas State Wildcats Against the Spread
Under is 5-1 in Owls last 6 overall. Under is 5-1 in Owls last 6 games following a straight up win. The Owls are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games following an ATS win. Owls are 16-6 ATS in their last 22 Saturday games. The Owls are 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 games vs. a team with a winning % above 0.600.
Over is 4-0 in Wildcats last 4 games following an ATS win. Over is 4-0 in Wildcats last 4 games following a straight up win. Over is 5-0 in Wildcats last 5 NCAA Tournament games. Under is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 games after scoring more than 90 points in their previous game. Under is 6-1 in Wildcats last 7 Saturday games.
Florida Atlantic Owls vs Kansas State Wildcats Free Pick
Florida Atlantic is on a mission, and that’s why they’re only two points underdogs for this game. Although Nowell will have his hometown crowd behind him as a Harlem native, the NCAAB betting forum expects Florida Atlantic to make the Final Four.
Free Pick: Florida Atlantic Owls +2.0 (-110)
