Player props in the national championship game can be a tough nut to crack. This is typically the case because you don’t know who’s going to have what left in their legs after a quick turnaround from the national semifinals. Sometimes it’s someone completely unexpected that comes up big in the NCAA title game, but more often the not, a championship team’s stars play like stars.
With that in mind, here are my three best bets for Kansas Jayhawks player props vs. North Carolina in the NCAA final.
Kansas Jayhawks Player Props vs. North Carolina in NCAA Tournament Final
David McCormack Prop Bet: Under 10.5 Points (-110)
This feels like the kind of game where David McCormack gets lost in the shuffle when it comes to scoring. There are two reasons I think McCormack comes back to earth after scoring 25 points against Villanova in the national semifinal.
First, North Carolina is much stronger inside than Villanova was, as the Tar Heels have Armando Bacot and Brady Manek to duel with McCormack down low. Secondly, the Tar Heels do not defend the 3-point shot well, allowing opponents to shoot 34.8 percent from behind the arc this season. That means that Kansas likely won’t be looking to run the offense through McCormack, as the Jayhawks will likely have quality 3-point shots available.
As I expect those two things hold true, I’m on the under for McCormack.
David McCormack Best Bet: Under 10.5 Points (-110), available on PointsBet
Ochai Agbaji Prop Bet: Over 1.5 3-Pointers (-179)
Ochai Agbaji took over the game against Villanova from the opening minute, and given the way he found his shot against the Wildcats, going 6-for-7 from 3-point land, I think the juice is worth the squeeze here.
Agbaji has looked for his shot in the Jayhawks’ past two games (20 total attempts), and with this game likely to involve a lot of perimeter play, Agbaji should be able to get started early. We already know he’s comfortable with shooting in the Caesars Superdome, and with UNC’s lack of 3-point defense (noted above), this could be a situation where this prop cashes before halftime.
Ochai Agbaji Best Bet: Over 1.5 3-Pointers (-179), available on PointsBet
Dajuan Harris Prop Bet: Over 5.5 Points (-135)
If someone is going to come out of nowhere to have a big game on Monday night, Dajuan Harris is likely to be that guy for the Jayhawks. With North Carolina likely to focus its defensive attention on Agbaji and McCormack, the Tar Heels have to give up something elsewhere. And Harris is likely going to be the Kansas guard that North Carolina is willing to let shoot. He isn’t a big-time scorer, averaging 5.5 PPG, but he has topped this total in three of Kansas’ five NCAA Tournament games.
Attempting about five shots a game with about half of those coming from behind the arc, Harris could take advantage of UNC’s weak perimeter defense. He’s a good enough shooter to cash in on the opportunities that will come his way in this game. Take the over on Harris’ points scored prop.
Dajuan Harris Best Bet: Over 5.5 Points (-135), available on PointsBet
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