The Jayhawks are looking good and they've won four of five games outright as an underdog this season, but Villanova simply buries teams (86-70 average score). The Wildcats are also the No. 2 cover team at 26-12 ATS, behind only Loyola-Chicago, which includes covers in all four tourney games. I'm on Villanova, the highest-rated team in the nation, to do its thing.

For these offensive powerhouses, this total certainly is within reach. Villanova boasts the nation’s most efficient offense, with Kansas at No. 5, according to the Pomeroy Ratings. However, neither teams plays as fast as their images suggest. Pomeroy computes adjusted tempo, which reflects possessions per game. Kansas ranks 150th, Villanova even lower at 160. That is a middle-of-the-pack pace. This pair does not rush the ball downcourt and chuck it up after one or two passes. Ball movement is a hallmark for both. Even as plenty of shootouts come to mind with past Final Four semifinal games, rarely is the number for this one hit. The last was in 2009, when Michigan State and Connecticut combined for 155 points. Not since 2005 was it exceeded by the Spartans and North Carolina — barely, with 156. For such a lofty total, both teams will need to be on fire. Could happen, but more than likely one will be at least slightly off its game. That scenario would reward the Under players.

It never pays to underestimate Bill Self, as the Kansas coach proved again Sunday by upsetting Duke and advancing to the Final Four after coming up short with more talented teams the past two years. What appeared to be a down season for the Jayhawks will end with them on college basketball's biggest stage. However, in Saturday's Final Four, they run into a Villanova team that looks destined to win its second national title in three years. The Wildcats overcame adversity with a second-half comeback against West Virginia and fended off resilient Texas Tech on Sunday. They will clip their third straight Big 12 opponent Saturday and cover the number with a strong finish.