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.
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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…
