1 Game Back From First Place | Baylor vs Kansas st | OSB
Baylor vs. Kansas State
The Baylor Bears will travel to the Bramlage Coliseum to take on the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 matchup (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The Bears got their four-game losing streak snapped on Saturday. Baylor took their first loss in the month of February to the Kansas Jayhawks 87-71. After a 45-22 lead in the first half the Bears struggled mightily in the second half as the Jayhawks outscored them 55-26. Meanwhile, the Wildcats will look to gain momentum from their 61-55 win on Saturday against the Iowa State Cyclones. Kansas State was able to snap its two-game losing streak.
With an 20-7 record on the season and an 9-5 record in conference play, the Bears are just 1 game back from first place in the Big 12 standings. Baylor has had their ups and downs on the road this year as they are 4-4 as the away team this year. Look to see if they can pick up a huge win on the road against Kansas State as they try to close out the last stretch of Big 12 play on top of the standings.
Baylor has gotten great production from their guards all season. All three of Baylor’s starting guards are averaging double digit points on the season. Freshman guard Keyonte George has been leading the Bears this year, as he leads the team in points. George is averaging 16.6 points a game this season. Senior guard Adam Flagler has also been leading the team as he is averaging 16.0 points and 5.0 assists (Which leads the team) a game this season. Do not forget about junior guard LJ Cryer who is having a great season for the Bears averaging 14.9 points a game this season. Baylor’s lethal guards can score in bunches and take over a game.
In their loss against Kansas on the road, Baylor just flat out could not miss in the first half. It looked like something out of a video game where George was hitting deep threes from almost halfcourt. In the second half Kansas pushed up their defense and make Baylor start their offense by halfcourt which gave the Bears trouble. Also, Kansas used their size advantage in the second half. Flagler led the Bears in the game finishing with 22 points and 7 assists. George was right behind with 20 points, shooting 5-10 from the three-point line. The Baylor guards were just completely shut down in the second half. In the loss, Baylor shot 44.1% from the floor and 40.0% from the three-point line.
Offensively, the Bears are averaging 78.5 points a game on the season. Defensively, Baylor has been great only allowing teams to score an average of 69.7 points a game on the season. Look to see if the guard play of the Bears can give the Wildcats trouble in this game.
With an 20-7 record on the season and an 8-6 record in conference play, the Wildcats are 2 games back from first place in the Big 12 standings. Kansas State has been nearly perfect at home this season as they are 14-1 in the Bramlage Coliseum. Look to see if they can keep up their dominant play at home this season when the Bears come and visit them.
The Wildcats have gotten remarkable production from two of their players this season. Senior forward Keyontae Johnson has been leading the Wildcats this year as he leads the team in points and rebounds this season. Johnson is averaging 17.4 points and 7.4 rebounds a game on the season. They are also, led by their senior guard Markquis Nowell who is averaging 16.9 points this season.
In their win against Iowa State at home, Nowell had a monster game finishing with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists. Johnson also had a great finishing with 15 points and 6 rebounds. In the final minutes of the game, it was Nowell and Johnson that put the game away for the Wildcats with clutch baskets. In the win, Kansas State shot 37.5% from the floor and 33.3% from the three-point line.
Offensively, the Wildcats are averaging 75.4 points a game on the season. Defensively, Kansas State has been solid only allowing teams to score an average of 68.1 points a game on the season. Look to see if their offense can give the Bears defense trouble in this game.
Baylor vs. Kansas State odds
Betting odds courtesy of Caesars
- Spread: Baylor Bear -1
- Over/Under: 145.5
- Moneyline: (Check back in later)
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Baylor vs. Kansas State all-time series
The Bears and the Wildcats have played each other 48 times since both teams were classified as major schools. The series is split at 24 wins a piece for both teams. The last time these two teams faced each other was earlier this season on Jan. 7th when Kansas State won in overtime 97-95. In the win, Nowell and Johnson combined for 56 of the Wildcats 97 points. Nowell finished with an insane 32 points and 14 assists. Johnson had 24 points and 9 rebounds in the win.
Trends to know
– Baylor is 3-4-1 ATS on the road this year.
– Kansas State is 11-4 ATS at home this year.
– The Bears are 8-5-1 ATS in conference play this year.
– The Wildcats are 9-5 ATS in conference play this year.
– The Bears are 4-2 ATS following a loss this year.
– The Wildcats are 13-6 ATS following a win this year.
Prediction
I love Kansas State here at home. I think Baylor is still down from there game against Kansas. The Wildcats have been great ATS at home this year. I also think Kansas State has the size advantage against Baylor in the paint. Markquis Nowell will be able to contain and compete against Baylor and their guards. I like Kansas State to win at home in a close one in this game.
Prediction: Kansas State Wildcats cover the spread (+1.0).
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