Providence at Kansas

Providence won the Big East regular-season crown ranking third in points surrendered (64.8 pg) and field goal defense, fourth at defending the three-pointer. That defense has been on display in the Big Dance holding Richmond to 51 points and South Dakota State to 57. The Friars held Richmond to 1-of-22 long-range shooting and are 19-7 ATS as a dog, plus 19-7 ATS against winning teams, and 35-16 ATS versus teams with winning percentages above .600. Kansas comes off a win over a depleted Creighton squad by just 79-72 as a 13-point favorite. And Kansas is 7-14 ATS against disciplined teams that are called for 17 or fewer fouls per contest. Play Providence.