PREMIUM
GAME OF THE WEEK (Rogers' 10* NCAAB) >> 3-0 Last 2 Days! BIG TV Game!
(NCAAB) Baylor vs. Kansas,
Point Spread: -6.00 | -115.00 Kansas (Home)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -6.00 | -115.00 Kansas (Home)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 20-1 Baylor Bears are ranked No. 2 in the latest AP poll and the 19-2 Kansas Jayhawks are No. 3. The two schools are tied atop the Big 12 at 7-1 and meet tonight in Lawrence, Kansas for the first time this season (will play again in Waco, Tx. on Feb. 18th).
Baylor: The Bears came into the season un-ranked, after losing leading scorer Prince (15.9 & 6.1), rebounding 'machine' Gathers (11.2 & 9.0) and PG Medford (8.9 & 6.5 APG). Baylor surprised all by opening 15-0 and earned the school's first-ever No. 1 ranking in the AP poll on Jan. 9. However, on Jan. 10, the Bears got routed at West Va, 89-68. Baylor hasn't folded though (five straights wins since the loss in Morgantown) and now gets this showdown with Kansas. Baylor has a strong frontcourt with the 6-10 Motley (16.2 & 9.6), the 7-0 Lual-Acuil (10.2 & 7.2) and the 6-8 Maston (7.2 & 4.1). Lecomte, a Miami transfer, plays the point and averages 12.3 PPG and 4.4 APG plus has a soild backcourt partner in Freeman (10.2). Defense is a Baylor staple, as the Bears are allowing just 61.1 PPG (7th) on 38.3% (9th) shooting.
Kansas: The Jayhawks know what it's like to lose at West Va. as well (85-69 on Jan. 24th) but rebounded with an impressive 79-73 win at Kentucky on Saturday (as a 7-point dog!). Kansas is a perimeter-oriented team, led by guards Mason (19.9-4.3-5.1), Graham (13.6) and Mykhailiuk 10.6), as well as 6-8 freshman swingman Jackson (15.7 & 6.7). 6-9 sophomore Carlton Bragg Jr. (6.1 & 4.8 rebounds) has been suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules and being charged with drug possession, which really leaves the 6-10 Lucas (7.6 & 7.8) as the only big body who can match up with Motley, Lual-Acuil Jr. and Maston. Baylor plays greta D but Kansas averages 84.3 PPG (89.6 at home), shooting 49.8% (9th), including 41.2% on threes (8th).
The pick: Bottom line is, all the numbers favor Kansas, which has won 53 straight games at home, including 50 at Allen Fieldhouse, and is 14-0 all-time at home against Baylor. Meanwhile, the Bears are 0-17 all-time against teams ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in either the AP or coaches poll. As for Kansas under head coach Bill Self, the Jayhawks are 7-0 when facing an AP top-five team at home. What else? Make Kansas a 10* play.
Baylor: The Bears came into the season un-ranked, after losing leading scorer Prince (15.9 & 6.1), rebounding 'machine' Gathers (11.2 & 9.0) and PG Medford (8.9 & 6.5 APG). Baylor surprised all by opening 15-0 and earned the school's first-ever No. 1 ranking in the AP poll on Jan. 9. However, on Jan. 10, the Bears got routed at West Va, 89-68. Baylor hasn't folded though (five straights wins since the loss in Morgantown) and now gets this showdown with Kansas. Baylor has a strong frontcourt with the 6-10 Motley (16.2 & 9.6), the 7-0 Lual-Acuil (10.2 & 7.2) and the 6-8 Maston (7.2 & 4.1). Lecomte, a Miami transfer, plays the point and averages 12.3 PPG and 4.4 APG plus has a soild backcourt partner in Freeman (10.2). Defense is a Baylor staple, as the Bears are allowing just 61.1 PPG (7th) on 38.3% (9th) shooting.
Kansas: The Jayhawks know what it's like to lose at West Va. as well (85-69 on Jan. 24th) but rebounded with an impressive 79-73 win at Kentucky on Saturday (as a 7-point dog!). Kansas is a perimeter-oriented team, led by guards Mason (19.9-4.3-5.1), Graham (13.6) and Mykhailiuk 10.6), as well as 6-8 freshman swingman Jackson (15.7 & 6.7). 6-9 sophomore Carlton Bragg Jr. (6.1 & 4.8 rebounds) has been suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules and being charged with drug possession, which really leaves the 6-10 Lucas (7.6 & 7.8) as the only big body who can match up with Motley, Lual-Acuil Jr. and Maston. Baylor plays greta D but Kansas averages 84.3 PPG (89.6 at home), shooting 49.8% (9th), including 41.2% on threes (8th).
The pick: Bottom line is, all the numbers favor Kansas, which has won 53 straight games at home, including 50 at Allen Fieldhouse, and is 14-0 all-time at home against Baylor. Meanwhile, the Bears are 0-17 all-time against teams ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in either the AP or coaches poll. As for Kansas under head coach Bill Self, the Jayhawks are 7-0 when facing an AP top-five team at home. What else? Make Kansas a 10* play.
