Bodog Beat

Villanova will have its hands full with Brandon Rush and the Kansas Jayhawks. (AP Images)

It’s a pretty safe bet to assume that Villanova was one of the last teams from the Big East anybody would have picked to get to the Sweet 16. But that’s why they call it Madness…

With Georgetown, Pittsburg, Marquette, and Connecticut all bounced from the Big Dance early, it’s just Louisville, West Virginia and the 12 seed Wildcats left to defend the honor of the East. That’s going to be one hell of a task for Villanova as it faces the Mid-West’s No. 1 seeded Kansas Jayhawks Friday, March 28 at 9:40 p.m. ET in Detroit.

Kansas has been an absolute force in the NCAA tournament thus far, thumping Portland State by 24 and dumping UNLV by 19, covering the point spread both times to extend its ATS record to 20-14 on the season.

If the Wildcats hope to have any chance, they’ll have to shut down Jayhawks’ stud guard Brandon Rush and continue to get strong play from Scottie Reynolds, who has averaged 23 points six rebounds and four assists in the first two rounds of play.

"Hey, we're playing a No. 1 seed. What can I say," Villanova coach Jay Wright said. "We know how good they are."

In five seasons coach Bill Self has led Kansas to four Big 12 regular-season championships and three Big 12 tournament titles but whether he’ll admit it or not, anything less than a NCAA Final Four appearance this season will be a disappointment for his team. However, coach Self says he’s not looking past underdog Villanova.

“Right now we’re just focused in on getting ready for Friday,” said Self.

Self’s players, on the other hand seem more willing to admit they have bigger expectations.

“This is the year,” Rush said. “This is the year we’ve got to do it. We’ve got five seniors leaving. Some (underclassmen) might be leaving early. We’ve got to make it happen. We’re not ever going to have a team like this again.”

Kansas is currently favored over Villanova by 11.5 and sits at 7/2 to win the NCAA Championship for the first time since 1988.

For all Sweet 16 odds visit the Bodog Sportsbook.