The Oklahoma State Cowboys will look to beat the Baylor Bears in their second meeting this season, though that’s going to be easier said than done. The Bears are undefeated so far in the Big 12 play, but will the Cowboys change that? Baylor is currently tied with Gonzaga and Kansas with the same +1000 odds to win the 2020 Championship.
Betting on the Oklahoma State Cowboys (11-11 Overall / 1-8 Conference)
The Cowboys roped in a win on Wednesday to stop a two-game losing skid, beating the TCU Horned Frogs at home, 72-57. The Cowboys won convincingly enough to cover their spread as the 3-point home favorites. Oklahoma State’s defense worked wonders in the TCU game, as the Cowboys held the Horned Frogs down to only 37.0 percent shooting from the field and only 21.1 percent shooting from deep. Oklahoma State also had the Horned Frogs committing 17 turnovers. Isaac Likekele led the Cowboys with 15 points and 11 assists to go with six rebounds, an all-around great performance he will have to duplicate in the rematch with Baylor. Likekele has what it takes to pass the test of Baylor’s defense. After all, he had 16 points to go with nine rebounds and four steals in their 75-68 loss in Stillwater to Baylor back in January.
Oklahoma State is averaging 66.7 points and giving up 65.9 points per game.
The Cowboys are 5-5 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 road games.
Betting on the Baylor Bears (20-1 Overall / 9-0 Conference)
The Bears are still taking care of business in Big 12 play. They remain undefeated through 12 conference games, adding the Kansas State Wildcats to their list of victims in a 73-67 win on the road last Monday. Baylor’s defense has been a terrific weapon for the Bears, who are fourth in the nation with opponents scoring just 58.4 points per game and shooting a mere 42.5 percent from the field. Baylor let its guard down a bit in the Kansas State game with 67 points allowed, but not before forcing 16 turnovers and collecting 11 steals. In the first meeting this season with the Cowboys, Baylor had Oklahoma State turning the ball over 15 times and shooting the rock just 41.1 percent from the floor. One glaring hole in their game then was their rebounding, as the Bears were outrebounded by seven boards, which allowed the Cowboys to hang around. The Bears are 35th in the nation both in blocks (4.6) and steals (8.0) per game.
The Bears are 3-1 ATS in their last four games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
As expected, Baylor bucks the Cowboys, winning 72-54.
