The BYU Cougars are set to face off against the Baylor Bears in Waco, Texas, with the game scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. As the matchup approaches, BYU is favored by 2.5 points with a moneyline of -150, and the total is set at 161.5 points.
In the lead-up to this clash, my prediction favors the Cougars to cover the spread. For those engaging in college basketball betting, it’s essential to explore the best lines available via live NCAAB odds pages.
Examining the current state of the BYU Cougars, the team finds itself in a challenging position, having gone 1-5 in its last six outings. A peculiar aspect of their performance has been their defensive play, ranking 220th in efficiency, allowing over 1.20 points per possession in five of those games. Their inside defense has also suffered, permitting opponents to shoot 55% on 2-point attempts. However, there’s a silver lining: teams have shot 42% from beyond the arc in those games, a figure that may be unsustainable, indicating potential for BYU when those outside shots begin to falter.
Offensively, the Cougars have maintained a robust effort, ranking 12th in efficiency during this span, shooting 52% from 2-point range, which is slightly below their season average of 56.7%. Star players like AJ Dybantsa, who leads the nation in scoring with an average of 24 points per game, alongside Richie Saunders and Rob Wright III, must perform well. Dybantsa has surpassed his scoring average in three of the last five games, while Saunders, recovering from a recent slump, must regain his shooting touch. Moreover, the supporting cast, including Keba Keita and Kennard Davis Jr., needs to step up for BYU to increase its chances of victory.
On the opposing side, the Baylor Bears have shown signs of resurgence following a tough stretch where they lost seven out of eight games. Recent victories over West Virginia and Colorado, alongside a competitive performance against Iowa State, signal a turnaround. The Bears’ defensive game has notably improved, allowing less than 1.00 points per possession in their last two outings, although it’s debatable whether this success was partly due to facing weaker offensive teams.
Baylor’s frontline players, including Cameron Carr, Tounde Yessoufou, and Obi Agbim, make contributions on offense. Carr leads the team with an impressive 19 points per game, while Yessoufou provides a physical presence averaging 17 points per game. Agbim’s consistent scoring has added depth to their lineup. However, the Bears face challenges with depth, as injuries have forced them into a tighter rotation of only six players.
Considering these factors, there is a strategic advantage for BYU in this matchup. The Cougars may exploit Baylor’s potential defensive shortcomings, particularly given the close spread of only 2.5 points. The anticipation is that BYU will rebound from their recent struggles and return to form against Baylor.
All signs lead to a favorable view of BYU’s chances to cover the spread in this significant contest.