Baylor vs Texas Odds
| Baylor Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total Points | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 146.5 -110o / -110u | +130 |
| Texas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Total Points | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 146.5 -110o / -110u | -155 |
The Texas Longhorns are the most polarizing team in college basketball. Some people believe the Longhorns belong in the AP Top 25, while others believe they may not make the NCAA tournament.
The detractors found some joy in the Longhorns' disastrous double-digit blown lead against UCF in Austin a few nights ago. Texas comfortably held the lead, and once the defense struggled, then the offensive well went dry.
Texas will face a hungry Baylor team, which lost against Kansas State this week.
Baylor Bears
Against Kansas State, the Bears played well enough defensively, but shooting 5-of-28 from 3 usually will result in a loss.
In the last two games against K-State and Cincy, Baylor shot 9-of-49 from 3 and managed to win one game and send the other to overtime. That's a good thing in the long run, since the numbers indicate Baylor will shoot it better eventually.
Also, Baylor still shoots 41% from deep, which ranks second nationally. Guards RayJ Dennis, Jayden Nunn, Ja'Kobe Walter and Langston Love all shoot 38% or better from deep.
Walter is a projected NBA lottery pick and is one of the most skilled players in college hoops. He checks all the boxes — he's tough, physical, athletic and can create shots. But as is the case with all freshmen, the unenviable "freshman wall" closes in at some point.
The wall closed directly on Walter during Baylor's rough two-game stretch, as he shot 7-of-22 overall and 1-of-11 from 3. Baylor's offensive success hinges on its star freshman getting on track. Between Walter and Dennis, Baylor boasts one of the best guard tandems in the Big 12.
Additionally, the Bears play solid basketball on both ends, ranking fifth in Offensive Efficiency and 45th in Defensive Efficiency. On the right night, Baylor can win a shootout or win an offensive struggle. Very few teams can win via two totally different game scripts.
Keep an eye out for shot-erasing mastermind Yves Missi. The stud freshman quickly emerged as one of the best defensive bigs in college hoops in a very short time.
We didn't know if this year's Bears squad brought the same toughness and intensity that teams of the past few years did. Thankfully, Scott Drew helped us find the answer.
Texas Longhorns
In a few short weeks, Texas went from a surefire NCAA tournament team to a team firmly on the bubble. The Horns have a few bad losses (like against UCF) and lack quality wins (one win over top-75 opponents).
Baylor, of course, fits the top-75 billing, so Texas desperately needs a victory in front of its home crowd.
The Horns' offense runs through fifth-year senior Max Abmas, the former Oral Roberts NCAA tournament star. Most guards don't translate to the highest level of hoops like Abmas, who averages 17 points on 45% shooting and 40% from deep.
I expected Texas to improve once Dylan Disu returned from injury, but in his eight games back, it's been the exact opposite. I wouldn't say it's his fault, though, as he's averaging 15 points and eight rebounds per game.
Disu is a more willing shooter this year, attempting 24 3s in eight games compared to 32 all of last year. He scored 32 points in Texas' biggest win of the year against Cincy.
Texas plays too loose, turning the ball over 18% of the time (222nd nationally). The offense would improve significantly if Texas turned the ball over a little less.
Additionally, all the great teams have an established identity. We know Baylor plays through guards, Kansas plays through bigs. Houston is tougher than anyone. But Texas doesn't have an identity.
It ranks 45th in Offensive Efficiency and 65th in Defensive Efficiency. Texas should be a lot better defensively with players like Tyrese Hunter, Kadin Shedrick and Dillon Mitchell starting. Something has to change quickly before the season gets out of hand.
Baylor vs. Texas
Betting Pick & Prediction
We've already seen the Longhorns drop two conference road games against Texas Tech (it's biggest rival) and UCF.
I don't think a major home-court advantage exists for the Horns, so look for Baylor to take advantage against a reeling team.
