Kansas Jayhawks vs
Baylor BearsPredictions & Preview

Kansas to Face Baylor in Highly Anticipated Showdown: Tipoff Set for 4:00 EST on ESPN

In an upcoming nationally televised conference battle, the Kansas (15-5, 6-3 Big 12) will face off against Baylor (13-7, 5-4 Big 12) in Texas. Both teams have had recent games that ended in close scores, with Kansas narrowly defeating UCF and Baylor falling to BYU. The tipoff is set for 4:00 EST and will be aired on ESPN. Baylor opens as the betting favorite at -1.5, with the current line at Baylor -2.5. This matchup is anticipated to be competitive, as both teams look to secure a victory in this highly anticipated game.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Jayhawks +108 | Bears -132
• Spread: Jayhawks +2.5 (-110) | Bears -2.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 142 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Baylor will win straight-up is 57%.

Kansas vs Baylor Stats

Kansas Jayhawks

The Kansas Jayhawks currently find themselves in unfamiliar territory as they have fallen to fifth in the Big 12 standings with a 6-3 record in conference play. Despite recent losses to Missouri, West Virginia, and #7 Houston, they remain a dangerous team and are ranked 11th in the country. The team is led by top perimeter scorer Zeke Mayo, who transferred in from South Dakota State and is averaging 15.4 PPG. The big man in the middle, Hunter Dickinson, leads the team with 16.3 PPG and 9.9 RPG, while top playmaker Dajuan Harris Jr. leads with 5.8 APG. KJ Adams adds athleticism as a power forward with 8.4 PPG. Kansas is currently projected to be a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament according to Bracketology.

Offensively, the Jayhawks are ranked 100th overall, averaging 77.55 points per game and shooting well from the field and the free-throw line. Defensively, they excel in limiting opponent field goal percentages and three-point shooting. The team averages a high number of rebounds, assists, and few turnovers on both ends of the court. Overall, Kansas is ranked 9th in KenPom rankings and is projected to be a strong contender in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Baylor Bears Analysis

The Baylor Bears are currently 5-4 in league play, tied for 6th in the Big 12 standings. Despite their recent loss to BYU, they are still projected to receive a 9-seed in the NCAA Tournament according to Bracketology. The team is led by standout freshmen VJ Edgecombe, who is scoring 14.9 PPG, and Norchad Omier, who averages 15.2 PPG and 10.1 RPG. Robert Wright III contributes 4.8 APG and 12.5 PPG. Baylor is ranked 28th overall by KenPom, with a 10th ranking in offensive efficiency and 77th in defensive efficiency. They have a slower playing style and rank 324th in tempo. In terms of offense, they shoot 46.23% from the field and 71.95% from the free-throw line, with a 37.08% average from three-point range. On defense, they allow 43.87% field goals and 67.02% free throws, with a 36.26% average from three-pointers. Baylor averages 36.65 rebounds and 16.00 offensive assists per game, but struggle with turnovers and allow an average of 32.45 defensive rebounds per game.

Kansas Expected to Outmatch Baylor in Battle of Big Men and Defensive Efficiency

The respective strengths of each team lie in their performance in the paint, with Dickinson and Omier standing out as top players in the conference. The key difference is Dickinson's towering height of 7'2 compared to Omier's 6'7 stature; this gives the Kansas big man a significant advantage in dominating the inside game. Additionally, Baylor's defensive efficiency ranking of 77th nationally will pose a challenge against the 29th ranked efficient offense of Kansas. As a result, Baylor may need to allocate more defenders to contain Dickinson and Adams, creating opportunities for Mayo and Harris on the perimeter. Kansas, known for their talented lineup and strong defensive presence (5th in efficiency nationally), is poised for a statement victory after a close overtime loss to Houston. Their size advantage and superior defensive capabilities make them the favorable choice to cover the spread in this matchup against Baylor.

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