Saturday marks the first day of the Elite Eight.
With the two games on Saturday being Florida Atlantic vs. Kansas State and UConn vs. Gonzaga, there are a number of stars set to take the floor in both contests.
One of our college basketball writers, Alex Hinton, came through with two player props — one for each game — including picks for Kansas State's Keyontae Johnson and UConn's Adama Sanogo.
Read on for both Elite Eight player prop picks — and be sure to check back tomorrow for even more NCAA Tournament betting coverage.
NCAA Tournament Elite Eight Player Props for Saturday
In the table below, you'll find each of our college basketball staff's top player prop picks from Saturday's slate of Elite Eight games. Click on any pick or team logo to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Specific bet recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Florida Atlantic vs. Kansas State
 6:09 p.m. ET Saturday, March 25 CBS  |
Keyontae Johnson Points
By Alex Hinton
On Thursday, Kansas State point guard Markquis Nowell dazzled with 20 points and 19 assists in a win over Michigan State.
He did roll his ankle, but remained in the game and is expected to play against FAU. Nowell may not be at 100%, which is part of the reason why I am pivoting to his co-star Keyontae Johnson.
The senior forward was on the receiving end of more than a few of Nowell’s assists against Michigan State. In the process, he scored 22 points and shot 10-for-18 from the field.
It was Johnson’s third 20-point game in his last 10 games. He has scored 18 points in four of his last 10 games. However, he has scored in double digits in all 10 games, ranging from 13 to 25 points.
That gives me confidence that, at the very least, Johnson offers a high floor and will generally be in the range of this line.
In this matchup, Johnson will have a height advantage as FAU is undersized on the wing. He can score in a variety of ways, shooting 40% from 3 and 73% from the line.
It would help our chances if he was able to get to the free-throw line more. Johnson is averaging 4.2 free throws per game this season, but just 1.5 over his last 10 games.
If so, he may crack 20 points again. However, either way, I still like his chances of getting 18 points in this spot.
Pick: Keyontae Johnson Over 17.5 Points (+105) · Play to -110
UConn vs. Gonzaga
 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday, March 25 CBS  |
Adama Sanogo Points
By Alex Hinton
On Thursday, we cashed on Adama Sanogo’s points, and I am going back to the well again.
He scored 18 points against Arkansas on 9-for-11 shooting from the field. It was the fourth straight game he has scored 17 points or more. He has also cleared this line in six of his past eight games.
Sanogo is averaging 23.3 points in the NCAA tournament. He likely would have gotten to 20 points again if not for the blowout against Arkansas.
The matchup against Gonzaga should be closer, as oddmakers have made the Huskies a -2.5 point favorite. However, on paper, it should be an easier matchup for him, as well.
Gonzaga is 73rd in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency and 203rd in 2-point percentage defense. In the NCAA tournament, Gonzaga is allowing 75.6 points per game. Additionally, it allowed 14 points to TCU forward Emanuel Miller and 29 points to UCLA forward Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The matchup advantage is clear and should allow Sanogo to get 17 points again.
Pick: Adama Sanogo Over 16.5 Points (-125) · Play to 17.5 Points
