California Baptist Lancers vs Kansas Jayhawks Picks and Predictions for Friday, March 20, 2026
Use Code WWWC The California Baptist Lancers open the NCAA tournament Friday night with a 9:45 PM matchup in San Diego, CA, against the Kansas Jayhawks, and we have you ready to roll with our California Baptist vs Kansas prediction. California Baptist finished the regular season with 25 wins and eight losses overall. The Jayhawks come into the tournament with 23 wins and 10 losses this season. California Baptist is running hot, running a long winning streak after a narrow 2-point victory last time out. The Jayhawks have been up and down as of late, having lost three of the last five following the 22-point loss to Houston in their last outing to end a 2 game-winning streak. Read more about this Milwaukee vs Orlando prediction! Struggling with handicapping? Try our NCAAB Predictions!
California Baptist looks for the big win
The California Baptist offense has averaged 73 points on 43% shooting from the floor this season. Defensively, the Lancers have been even better, holding opponents to 67.6 points per game this year, and have given up an average of 64.6 points per game over their last five wins. Offensively, California Baptist is just enough in their last outing, scoring 63 points, including 37 in the second half, on 38% shooting. Defensively, California Baptist did the job, allowing 61 points on 44% shooting. The Lancers won the rebounding battle by two and forced 14 turnovers to steal the victory.
Dominique Daniels Jr. leads the California Baptist offense this season with 23.2 points and 3.2 assists per game. Martel Williams averages 12.7 points, and Jayden Jackson is averaging a third-best 9.3 points per game. Jonathan Griman is 4th on the team with 6.1 points in just under 23 minutes per game. Big man Thomas Ndong is everything, with five points to go along with the team’s leading 6.6 rebounds per game.
Key Injury Report for California Baptist:
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- None
Kansas tries to find its rhythm
The Kansas Jayhawks have averaged 75.6 points on 45% from the floor this season, but have averaged only 56 points per game over their last three losses. Defensively, Kansas has been stout, holding opponents to 69.4 points per game this year. Offensively, Kansas had one of its worst games in recent memory last time out, scoring just 47 points on 25% shooting and 30% from beyond the arc. Defensively, Kansas was outmatched, giving up 69 points on 42% shooting, 56% from beyond the arc. The Jayhawks lost the rebounding battle by 5 and turned the ball over 8 times. Darryn Peterson led the way for the Kansas offense with 14 points on 11 shots.
Darryn Peterson leads the Kansas offense this season with 19.8 points per game, but he has played just 22 times. Trey white is averaging 13.8 points in just over 31 minutes per game. Flory Bidunga averages 13.5 points and leads the team, pulling in 9.2 rebounds per game. Melvin Council Jr. is 4th on the team, averaging 12.9 points, and leads the team with 5.1 assists per game.
Key Injury Report for Kansas:
- Justin Cross Questionable) – Undisclosed
- Corbin Allen Questionable) – Undisclosed
- Will Thengvall Questionable) – Undisclosed
California Baptist vs Kansas Pick
- California Baptist vs Kansas Spread Pick
Despite California Baptist's success thus far this season, Kansas is the far better team in this matchup. The Jayhawks have the depth and talent all over the floor to dominate this game from the opening minutes. Look for Kansas to set the tone early, leading to a controlling victory Friday night. Take The Jayhawks to do the work as they get the winning cover in California to advance to the round of 32.
- California Baptist vs Kansas Over/Under Pick
Both teams average in the mid-70s, but each defends at a high rate. Look for The Jayhawks to set the tone with their defense in this Friday night matchup. Kansas will stifle California Baptist from the opening, leading to the victory in this game. Take the Jayhawks to get the win and cover Friday night in a game that goes well under the total in round 1.
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