No. 1 Kansas vs. No. 16 UC Davis Prediction, Game Preview


Kansas vs. UC Davis prediction and game preview, as the No. 1 Jayhawks face the No. 16 Aggies in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.


Kansas now knows who it’ll face in the first Round of the NCAA Tournament: UC Davis. The Aggies outlasted a plucky NC Central team in Dayton on Wednesday night in order to make it to the first round. Now they must take on a Jayhawks team that has one of the most talented rosters in the nation.

Below is a preview of the Midwest Region’s No. 1 vs. 16 matchup.

Kansas vs. UC Davis Game Preview

Date: March 17
Time: 6:50 p.m.
Venue:  BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Region: Midwest

Kansas Strengths

The Jayhawks might have the best combination of talent in the nation with Frank Mason III, Josh Jackson, Devonte’ Graham and a great supporting cast around those three. They have a perimeter game, an inside presence and solid defense to make them quite possibly the best all-around team in the Tournament.

Kansas Weaknesses

Too often Kansas doesn’t play a full 40 minutes but gets away with it because of their immense amount of talent. But things change in the NCAA Tournament, and if the Jayhawks aren’t prepared from the get-go, they could find themselves bounced before they realize what hit them.

UC Davis Strengths

UC Davis plays bigger than their height would indicate. No starter is taller than 6-foot-7 forward J.T. Adenrele, yet it held a plus-1.4 rebounding advantage per game. The Aggies are able to that versatility for an inside-out game with guard Brynton Lemar leading the way at 16.1 points per game. They don’t score a lot of points but also don’t allow many, holding their last four opponents, including First Four opponent NC Central, to fewer than 65.

UC Davis Weaknesses

The Aggies head into the Tournament having shot worse than 40 percent in four straight games, something that seems tough to believe having a coach in Jim Les who was known as a sharpshooter during his playing days. UC Davis is going to need better shooting if it wants to pull off a first-round upset.

Kansas vs. UC Davis By The Numbers

Kansas Statistics

Scoring Margin: 10.8 (25)
Rebound Margin: 4.3 (53)
Turnover Margin: .4 (160)
3-Point FG Percentage: 40.8% (6)

UC Davis Statistics

Scoring Margin: 1.6 (169)
Rebound Margin: 1.4 (140)
Turnover Margin: 0 (179)
3-Point FG Percentage: 35.4% (157)

Kansas vs. UC Davis Prediction

If a 16 seed is to beat a No. 1 this year, it won’t be in this game. There is simply too much talent and depth on the Kansas roster. UC Davis will not be able to hang with the Jayhawks after the first eight minutes, as Frank Mason, Josh Jackson and Co. coast.

Kansas vs. UC Davis Score Prediction: Kansas 93, UC Davis 70 

MORE: Complete NCAA Tournament Bracket, Previews, Predictions