The No. 4 Kansas Jayhawks are the “Magic Eight Ball” of the NCAA Tournament.
Give it a shake and it calls for KU as a sleeper to win the East Region. Give it another, and the Jayhawks might not escape Friday’s opening round meeting with the No. 13 California Baptist Lancers.
The Jayhawks’ talent is unquestioned, but my California Baptist vs. Kansas predictions aren’t so sure about KU’s motivations — at least in the opening 20 minutes. My March Madness picks see the Jayhawks sleepwalking in the first half on Friday, March 20.
California Baptist vs Kansas prediction
Who will win California Baptist vs Kansas?
Kansas: The lofty spread says the Kansas Jayhawks advance, and game models all tip their cap to Rock Chalk. I don’t think it's as clear cut as that. The California Baptist Lancers are strong defensively, win the hustle plays, and have a game-breaker in Dominque Daniels Jr. I’ve got KU advancing in my bracket, but a +625 flyer on the Lancers could be live.
California Baptist vs Kansas best bet: Kansas team total Under 36.5 1H (-120)
Kansas isn’t thinking about California Baptist.
The second the bracket dropped, KU saw Duke waiting in the second round, and thoughts of the Blue Devils started dancing in its head.
And then there’s star Darryn Peterson, whose priority has been protecting himself for the upcoming NBA Draft.
Kansas’ offense was in the toilet in the home stretch, especially in the opening 20 minutes. It’s averaged less than 33 first-half points in the past 10 outings, scoring fewer than 30 in four of those games.
The Lancers slow things down, protect the perimeter, and allow the 10th-fewest 1H points per game.
COVERS INTEL: Kansas has gone 3-7 Over/Under on its first half team totals over the past 10 games.
California Baptist vs Kansas same-game parlay
The Jayhawks may get a wakeup call at halftime, but still can't pull away from Cal Baptist. The Lancers protect the perimeter and won’t let Darryn Peterson get hot from outside. He’s hit three triples just once in the past seven games.
California Baptist vs Kansas SGP
- Cal Baptist +14
- Kansas 1H TT Under 36.5
- Darryn Peterson Under 2.5 3-pointers
Our Big Dance SGP: Living on a prayer
If you can’t behind KU, you can say a little prayer for Cal Baptist and this SGP. Dominque Daniels Jr. is a baller and the Lancers could turn this into a rock fight, limiting a Jayhawks offense that’s been an absolute mess.
California Baptist vs Kansas SGP
- Cal Baptist moneyline
- Under 138
- Dominque Daniels Jr. Over 22.5 points
California Baptist vs Kansas odds
- Spread: California Baptist +14 | Kansas -14
- Moneyline: California Baptist +625 | Kansas -1200
- Over/Under: Over 138 | Under 138
California Baptist vs Kansas betting trend to know
Kansas has stayed Under its full game team total in 10 of the past 16 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for California Baptist vs. Kansas.
How to watch California Baptist vs Kansas
| Location | Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA |
| Date | Friday, March 20, 2026 |
| Tip-off | 9:45 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS |
California Baptist vs Kansas key injuries
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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