Expectations remain high for the Kansas Jayhawks, as they’re the lone top-seeded team left in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. By far, the No. 2 Villanova Wildcats will be their toughest opponent at the Big Dance and this will not guarantee the Jayhawks a spot at the championship game whatsoever. What must head coach Bill Self account for as he seeks to win his second national title and first since 2008?

Nitrobetting is ready to dish out some timely assists to our bettors all throughout the March Madness season. This time, let’s highlight three keys to victory for the Kansas Jayhawks in Saturday’s highly-anticipated 2022 March Madness Final Four matchup against the Villanova Wildcats.

3 Keys for the Kansas Jayhawks to Win 2022 Final Four Matchup vs. Villanova

HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS TEAM? pic.twitter.com/iUUbpnHpKh

— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) March 27, 2022

READ MORE: North Carolina Tar Heels 2022 March Madness Final Four Betting Keys

Less Physicality is Actually Good

Many experts have been quick to point out that Villanova is the best free-throw shooting team in the country, converting close to 90 percent of their shots from the line (53-of-59) in the national tournament. In turn, Kansas’ defense has to be smart and not be drawn into forcing contact against the Wildcats.

Inversely, the Jayhawks would also be wise to not find themselves on the charity stripe, either, as they’ve gone just 56-of-83 from the free-throw line at the Big Dance (67.4 percent). Villanova just lost a key piece of their starting corps by way of an injury to Justin Moore, which means that’s one less problem that Kansas has to worry about in order to execute a less-physical game plan around that fact.

Win the Defensive Battle

Since the start of March, the Jayhawks have had a top-25 defense in the nation; one that has allowed opponents to shoot just 41.6 percent on two-point field-goal attempts. They also have an edge in terms of the battle of the boards, as seen in their huge win over Miami in the Elite Eight after out-rebounding the Hurricanes by 13.

Even though the Wildcats’ offense is extremely efficient, their raw counting numbers aren’t that gaudy, as they’ve scored 66 points or more in just two of their last seven outings. On the other hand, Villanova has also held each of its last seven opponents to 65 points or less apiece. That being said, Kansas has to play its best defensive performance to date against a Nova squad that rarely turns the ball over.

A Strong Finish Over A Blazing Start

One two occasions in the tournament, Kansas has gotten off to hot starts. The team dominated its first-round contest against Texas Southern wire-to-wire leading by as much as 27 points at halftime. However, the Jayhawks did storm out to a 12-point lead in the first half in the Sweet 16 against Providence but had to go on a 12-5 run in the final minutes of the contest to advance.

A 47-15 scoring advantage in the second half against Miami in the Elite Eight was what ultimately sent Kansas to the semifinals. Villanova is as good a team as any in close battles, so the Jayhawks need to find that second gear when it matters most and not blow their load early on against the highly-experienced Wildcats.

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