The Colgate Raiders (25-9) play the Baylor Bears (23-10) in the first round of the tournament. Colgate comes from the Patriot League. Meanwhile, Baylor has looked good in the Big 12. Therefore, this is a matchup between two uneven teams and conferences.
But do you see The Underdogs putting up a bigger-than-expected fight?
Colgate Raiders vs Baylor Bears Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Colgate Raiders | +14.5 -115 |
O 137.5 -115 |
+650 |
| Baylor Bears | -14.5 -105 |
U 137.5 -105 |
-1200 |
| **Odds Courtesy of DraftKings** | |||
Colgate Raiders vs Baylor Bears Game Details
- Fixture: Colgate Raiders vs Baylor Bears
- Date and Time: March 22, 2024 @ 12:40 pm EST
- Location: FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN
Apex Tale of the Tape
| Colgate Raiders | Vs. | Baylor Bears |
| 25-9 | Record | 23-10 |
| 61.5 | Points Per Game | 80.5 |
| 47.0 | FG% | 48.3 |
| 36.1 | 3PT% | 38.8 |
| 35.9 | Rebounds Per Game | 35.3 |
| 63.2 | Points Allowed Per Game | 71.2 |
| 40.8 | Defensive FG% | 45.4 |
| 29.8 | Defensive 3PT% | 33.7 |
| 66.9 | Defensive FT% | 73.1 |
| 33.0 | Defensive Rebounds Against | 29.3 |
| 5-0 | Last 5 W-L | 3-2 |
| 64.7 | Team Pace | 72.9 |
Key Stats
Colgate Raiders
Colgate is led in scoring by Braeden Smith. Smith averages 12.5 points per game for the Colgate Raiders. However, coming into the game, he hopes to have help. Brady Cummins scored 19 points in the Patriot League Championship. Also, the addition of Jeff Woodward would be welcomed. Woodward had 11 points in that same game. While Smith is the best and most consistent scorer, those other mentioned players need to step up and have double-digit scoring showcases if they are to beat the Baylor Bears.
Baylor Bears
Baylor is considered one of the better teams in the nation. However, the defense can at times let them down. This is a teen who looks to outscore their opponents. Therefore, Jakobe Walter will be critical for today’s game. Walter averages 14.2 points per game. Meanwhile, Jalen Bridges is coming off a 20-point performance in the Big 12 championship game. Additionally, Yves Missi pitched in 14 points against Iowa State. However, they will need one of these players to step out beyond the three-point line. Although a win against the Colgate Raiders would be expected, one of these players needs to have good shooting nights from the perimeter if they are to go far.
Injury Report
Colgate Raiders
- None
Baylor Bears
- Langston Love – Out
- Yanis Ndjonga – Out
Game Prediction
This game will be closer than expected. Yes, the Baylor Bears should win. However, I can see the Colgate Raiders keeping it close. This is mainly due to the lack of defense on the side of Baylor and the ability of Colgate to play more cohesively at times. While it can be hard to judge when a lower conference sees a step up in competition, this should be a matchup that favors the Colgate Raiders, at least covering the spread.
Final Pick
Colgate Raiders +14.5
About the Author
Gabriel is a lifelong sports fan. Pick a sport, and he’ll enjoy talking about it with you! From football to soccer, combat sports, and volleyball! You can follow Gabriel on Twitter @BigTenGabriel to enjoy all of his great content. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, where we do several shows daily.
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