Maryland Terrapins vs. Kansas Jayhawks Betting Odds, March Madness Pick

The top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks (32-4) will try to extend their winning streak to 17 games when they square off against the fifth-seeded Maryland Terrapins (27-8) in the Sweet 16 on Thursday.

The Jayhawks are consensus favorites at the sportsbooks and have gone an impressive 13-3 against the spread during their winning streak, covering both of their South Regional games easily.

Point spread: The Jayhawks opened as seven-point favorites; the total was 146, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

March Madness pick, via Odds Shark computer: 76.6-66.8 Jayhawks

Why pick Maryland to cover the spread

Even though Kansas has looked great through two games, Maryland has been tested more in close matchups with the 12th-seeded South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the 13th-seeded Hawaii Warriors. The Terrapins did not cover the spread in a 79-74 win over the Jackrabbits but finished strong against the Rainbow Warriors to beat the line in a game that was tight early.

As underdogs here, that ability to play well in close contests could pay off. Maryland is also 3-1 straight up and ATS in its last four versus Big 12 opponents, according to the Odds Shark College Basketball Database.

Why pick Kansas to cover the spread

The Jayhawks are 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS in their last seven games as favorites of seven points or less and have performed as well as expected, if not better, in the first two rounds. The last time they won their Sweet 16 matchup, they ended up making it to the national championship game as a No. 2 seed under head coach Bill Self in 2012.

They also lost in the Sweet 16 the following season as a No. 1 before falling in the second round as a No. 2 each of the past two years. This is an elite program used to making deep runs in the Big Dance, with a lot more experience in games like this.

Smart betting pick

There are plenty of reasons Kansas is the current favorite to cut down the nets on April 4 in Houston. But most of all, this is a team with players who are hungry to win a national title after disappointing the last couple of seasons.

While the Terps have talent, this is the first time in a long time they are playing under the spotlight with so much on the line. They previously appeared in the Sweet 16 in 2003, a year after winning their last NCAA championship with Gary Williams.

This Maryland team also has not played well as an underdog, going 2-10 SU and 4-6-2 ATS in its last 12 games under that scenario. That's why the Jayhawks will win and cover en route to the Elite Eight.

March Madness betting trends

Kansas is 16-0 SU and 13-3 ATS in its last 16 games.

Kansas is 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS in its last seven games as a favorite of 7.0 or less.

Maryland is 3-1 SU and ATS in its last four games against the Big 12.

No. 1 seeds are 15-3 SU against No. 5 seeds since 2002.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark, and all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and get the free odds tracker app for iOS or Android.