NCAAB picks 11/24: Notre Dame @ Kansas

 

by Cal Bailor for Wannamakeabet.com

The upcoming matchup between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Kansas Jayhawks promises to be an exciting contest. Scheduled for Monday, November 24, 2025, at 3:30 PM UTC, this game will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The betting lines currently favor Kansas with a spread of -4.5 and a total of 141.5 points.

Team Analysis

Notre Dame

• Season Overview and Recent Form: The Fighting Irish enter this game with a 4-1 record in non-conference play. Their only loss was a narrow one-point defeat on the road against Ohio State. In their most recent outing, Notre Dame secured an 86-79 victory over Bellarmine on November 19.

• Key Players:

– Markus Burton: A junior guard leading the team with an average of 19.4 points per game, shooting 47.8% from the field. – Braeden Shrewsberry: Averaging 11.4 points per game, including 3.0 made three-pointers per game with a 57.7% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. – Carson Towt: A senior forward contributing 7.6 points, 2.6 assists, and an impressive 12.6 rebounds per game.

Kansas

• Season Overview and Recent Form: The Jayhawks hold a 3-2 record against non-conference opponents. Their most recent game was a 78-66 loss to No. 5 Duke on November 18. Prior to that, Kansas achieved victories over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and Princeton.

• Key Players:

– Flory Bidunga: A freshman forward leading the team with 16.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. – Tre White: Averaging 14.0 points per game, contributing significantly to the team’s scoring efforts. – Melvin Council Jr.: Averaging 5.8 assists per game, facilitating the team’s offensive plays.

Key Matchup Factors

• Head-to-Head History: Notre Dame leads the all-time series with Kansas 9-3, including a 3-0 record in neutral-site games. The most recent meeting was on January 23, 1988, where the Fighting Irish secured an 80-76 victory.

• Important Player Matchups:

– The battle between Carson Towt and Flory Bidunga in the paint will be crucial. Towt’s rebounding prowess against Bidunga’s scoring ability could tip the scales. – Markus Burton‘s perimeter shooting will be tested against Kansas’s defense, particularly the shot-blocking presence of Bidunga.

• Key Injuries and News:

– Kansas freshman guard Darryn Peterson is sidelined due to a hamstring strain and will not participate in the upcoming games, including this matchup against Notre Dame.

• Home/Away Performance:

– Notre Dame has demonstrated strong performance at home, maintaining an undefeated record of 4-0. – Kansas has faced challenges in neutral-site games, losing their last three such contests.

Betting Analysis

• Spread Analysis: Kansas is favored by 4.5 points. Considering their recent struggles in neutral-site games and the absence of Peterson, Notre Dame covering the spread appears plausible.

• Total (Over/Under) Analysis: The over/under is set at 141.5 points. Both teams have shown offensive capabilities, with Notre Dame averaging 83.6 points per game and Kansas 77.4 points per game. However, Kansas’s defensive strengths, including 6.4 blocks per game, may limit scoring opportunities.

• Best Value Opportunities:

– Betting on Notre Dame to cover the +4.5 spread offers value, given Kansas’s recent neutral-site performance and the absence of Peterson. – The under on the total points might be a prudent choice, considering both teams’ defensive capabilities.

• Prediction: This game is expected to be closely contested. With Kansas’s recent neutral-site struggles and the absence of Peterson, Notre Dame has a strong chance to cover the spread. The under on the total points is also a reasonable expectation.

• Final Pick: Notre Dame +4.5 and under 141.5 points.

For more detailed analysis and betting insights, consider visiting reputable sports betting platforms and consulting their expert opinions.