The #7 Kansas Jayhawks (21-7, 9-6) travel to Texas to take on the #15 Baylor Bears (20-8, 9-6) in one of the weekend slate’s top matchups. The two squads are tied for third place in the Big 12, so this game will be crucial for seeding ahead of the conference tournament in 10 days. Whoever loses will be in danger of falling to fifth and missing out on the coveted double-bye. With BYU, Texas Tech and TCU all just one game behind them, the margin for error is slim to none.
Speaking of BYU, the Jayhawks lost their first home game of the season to the Cougars on Tuesday, 76-68. Bill Self’s squad will look to rebound against the Bears, who are coming off a 62-54 victory against TCU on Monday. It won’t come easy, though, as Baylor sports a 13-2 home record.
#7 Kansas Jayhawks at #15 Baylor Bears Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
| Kansas Jayhawks | +6 (-115) | O145 (-110) | +205 |
| Baylor Bears | -6 (-105) | U145 (-110) | -250 |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
Match Details
Fixture: #7 Kansas Jayhawks at #15 Baylor Bears
Date/Time: Saturday, March 2nd; 1:00 pm EST; ABC
Venue: Foster Pavilion; Waco, TX
Team Stats:
Kansas Jayhawks
PPG: 76.6
FG%: 49.8%
3-Point FG%: 34.2%
FT%: 72%
Rebounds: 36.4
Assists: 19.5
Turnovers: 12.7
PPG Allowed: 67.9
Steals: 7.5
Blocks: 3.7
Fouls: 14.7
Baylor Bears
PPG: 81.6
FG%: 48.7%
3-Point FG%: 39.7%
FT%: 73.3%
Rebounds: 35.2
Assists: 15.3
Turnovers: 12.1
PPG Allowed: 70.8
Steals: 6.9
Blocks: 3.3
Fouls: 17.1
Projected Starting Lineups
Kansas Jayhawks
G – Johnny Furphy (9.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 0.9 apg)
G – Nicolas Timberlake (4.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 0.5 apg)
F – Dajuan Harris Jr. (8.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 6.5 apg, 1.5 spg)
F – KJ Adams Jr. (12.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.2 spg)
C – Hunter Dickinson (18.3 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1 spg, 1.2 bpg)
Baylor Bears
PG – RayJ Dennis (13.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 6.6 apg, 1.4 spg)
G – Ja’Kobe Walter (14.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.2 spg)
G – Jayden Nunn (10.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.2 spg)
F – Jalen Bridges (11.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1 spg)
C – Yves Missi (11 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.6 bpg)
Kansas at Baylor Prediction
Kansas’ star guard Kevin McCullar is the wildcard in this matchup. The senior has missed time this year due to a knee injury. However, if he can take the floor, the Jayhawks’ chances of pulling off an upset become much more realistic. Self hinted at the former Red Raider possibly being ready, but nothing’s been confirmed. McCullar currently leads the Big 12 in scoring with 19 points per game.
Until he’s officially back, though, let’s operate under the assumption that he won’t play. Picking a shorthanded Kansas team to go on the road and beat a Baylor squad that ranks fifth in the country in three-point shooting (39.7 percent) is a risky play. However, the Jayhawks do have the chops to cover the spread. Hunter Dickinson and KJ Adams should be able to pounce inside against a Bears squad that ranks 132nd in defensive efficiency. Conversely, Kansas ranks 33rd in that department.
Meanwhile, the under has hit in each of the last 15 Jayhawks losses. There’s no reason to bet any differently here, as these teams’ last matchup resulted in just 125 points scored. McCullar was also absent for that game.
Final Pick
Kansas Jayhawks +6 and Under 145
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