Offense meets defense when the Baylor Bears (10-4, 0-2 Big 12) welcome the Texas Longhorns (10-4, 1-1 Big 12) to Ferrell Center. The game can be seen on ESPNU at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6, 2018.
Texas Longhorns at Baylor Bears Free Prediction
In the Longhorns’ last matchup, they beat the Iowa State Cyclones, 74-70. Texas’ free throw rate was their biggest strength over Iowa State. The Longhorns had a rate of 0.172 (matching their season average), while the Cyclones posted a mark of 0.092 (below their season average of 0.243). Texas was lifted by Dylan Osetkowski, who was the top scorer from either team with 25 points on 8-for-21 shooting.
The Bears lost a tough one against the No. 16 TCU Horned Frogs in their last game, 81-78. TCU made eight of their 20 three pointers (40.0 percent), while Baylor was just 1-12 (8.3 percent). Baylor’s Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. put together a solid game, leading both teams in scoring with 28 points on 12-for-20 shooting.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength as the high-powered offense of Baylor (31st in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 116.5) takes on the top-notch defense of Texas (17th in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 90.4).
After the Bears won both matchups against the Longhorns last season, these teams will battle for the first time this year. In the last contest, Baylor won 75-64. The Bears had a much better free throw rate (0.200 vs. 0.094) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (55.9 vs. 34.2).
Texas Longhorns at Baylor Bears ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Baylor, ATS Winner – Baylor, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Baylor ranks 31st in assists per game (17.2) while Texas ranks 214th (12.0).
The Bears rank 22nd in rebounds allowed per game (31.0) while the Longhorns rank 198th (37.4).
Texas averages 22.3 three pointers per game, which ranks 138th in the NCAA. Baylor ranks 183rd in three pointers allowed per game (23.6).
The Longhorns average 6.3 blocks per game, which ranks 10th in the NCAA. The Bears rank 52nd in blocks allowed per game (2.9).
Texas is 29th in the NCAA with 5.2 steals allowed per game while Baylor is 35th with 5.3 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Longhorns’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.0, down from 9.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bears have scored an average of 85.6 points per game (4.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 74.4 points per game (6.4 above their season average).
