The West Virginia Mountaineers could be the second team to beat the Baylor Bears this season, but of course, that’s easier said than done. The Bears are coming off their first loss of the season and are eager to rebound, while the Mountaineers are riding a nice win streak. Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the Baylor Bears vs West Virginia Mountaineers NCAA College Basketball Game on March 2 2021
Where: WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, WV
When: Tuesday, March 2, 2021, 5:00 PM ET
Line: Baylor Bears (odds) vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (odds) – view all 2021 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the Baylor Bears (odds)
Record: 18-1 Overall / 10-1 Conference
It finally happened. The Bears lost a game for the first time this season last Saturday, falling prey to the Kansas Jayhawks on the road, 71-58. Baylor entered that game as a 4.5-point road favorite, but with the team’s shots not falling the way it usually does, the Bears ended up with an L. The Bears shot just 34.8 percent from the field and went only 6 of 26 from deep. One of the best players in the nation, Jared Butler couldn’t get things going on offense, shooting just 2 of 9 from the floor and finishing with only five points. It can’t always be that bad for Butler, who is averaging 16.4 points per game on 48.3 field goal percentage. One loss shouldn’t make people forget that Baylor has a lethal offense that can explode on any given game. Baylor is third in the nation with 84.9 points per game and fourth in adjusted offensive efficiency with 122.0 points per 100 possessions. Baylor’s high-pressure defense spells trouble for a West Virginia team that is just 129th in the nation in non-steal turnover percentage (7.9%).
The over is 6-1 in Baylor’s last seven games overall.
Betting on the West Virginia Mountaineers (odds)
Record: 17-6 Overall / 10-4 Conference
West Virginia is on a groove, having won all its last three games, including a victory over the Texas Longhorns on Feb., 20 in Austin, 84-82. The last time they were on the court, the Mountaineers eked out an easy 65-43 win at home over the lowly Kansas State Wildcats. West Virginia’s defense has been unforgiving of late. The Mountaineers allowed Kansas State to shoot just a brutal 29.4 percent from the field and forced them to commit 17 turnovers. The Mountaineers have forced their last three opponents into committing an average of 15.3 turnovers while limiting them to only 43.3 percent shooting from the floor. West Virginia could be catching Baylor at just the right time, as the Bears’ offense has misfired in Baylor’s last two games. Over that short span, Baylor went 14 of 51 from deep and shot a mere 39.1 percent from the field.
West Virginia is 4-2 against the spread in its last six meetings with the Bears, dating back to 2018. Last year, West Virginia defeated Baylor at home, 76-64, as a 1.5-point favorite.
Writer’s Prediction
Baylor wins, 80-72.
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