The Baylor Bears copped a top seed in the 2021 March Madness despite a recent loss in the Big 12 tournament. Up next for them is a date against the No. 16 Hartford Hawks who are eyeing a ground-shaking upset win right in their program’s first-ever game in the national tournament. Check out our preview of this game below.
Hartford is headed to the Big Dance by topping the American East Conference. The Hawks are on a four-game win streak, including their 64-50 win in the conference tournament finals over the UMass Lowell River Hawks. An aggressive defense has been the meal ticket for Hartford, which led its conference in opponents’ turnover percentage (21.6%) and defensive steal percentage (10.7) while allowing just 61.9 points per game in AEC play –also tops in the league. Austin Williams, a bruising 6-4 guard, has the size and steadiness in the backcourt to inspire an upset win over Baylor. Meanwhile, Traci Carter is another defensive pest for Hartford, as he is third in the nation overall with a 4.9 steal percentage. He is averaging 13.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and shootings 50.6 percent from the field this season, while four other Hawks are putting up at least 9.7 points per contest.
Hartford is 5-0 against the spread in its last five games overall.
Sure, Baylor lost to the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament, but that shouldn’t diminish the perception that the Bears are easily among the best in the nation. There’s no shame for Baylor in losing to a team led by a potential future NBA superstar in Cade Cunningham, and the Bears won’t have to deal with anyone close to that talent in the first round. The Bears’ triumvirate of Jared Butler, MaCio Teague, and Davion Mitchell will be all over the Hawks on both ends of the floor. Each of them is averaging at least 14.2 points per game and shoots over 39.0 percent from behind the arc. Baylor’s outside shooting is scary good. The Bears are No. 1 in the nation with a 41.8 3-point field goal percentage while making 10.8 threes per game. Hartford’s defense should be loosened by that kind of shooting by Baylor, who can strike from anywhere on the floor.
The over is 5-0 in Baylor’s last five games overall.
