Kansas Jayhawks vs Baylor Bears Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/02/2024

by Rod Pearson

Friday, Mar 01, 2024
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Saturday, March 2, 2024
Venue:  Foster Pavilion, Waco, TX
Where to Watch:  ABC


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Kansas +5, Baylor -5; Over/Under:  146.5 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  Kansas +5, Baylor -5; Over/Under:  146.5 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Kansas +5, Baylor -5; Over/Under:  146.5 points

Season Record

Kansas Jayhawks:  21-7 (9-6) (3rd place, Big 12)
Baylor Bears:  20-8 (9-6) (4th place, Big 12)

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Recent Form
Kansas Jayhawks:  3-2  last 5
Baylor Bears:  3-2  last 5


Kansas Jayhawks vs Baylor Bears Preview and Analysis


Kansas is entering this game with a 21-7 record overall, a 9-6 record in conference games, and they are 3-5 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a loss against the BYU Cougars in their last game. Hunter Dickinson led the team in points per game in that game with 17 while Dajuan Harris Jr. was next on the team with 12. Dajuan Harris Jr. led the team in assists with 6 in that game while Hunter Dickinson led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 39% from the field, 20% from 3-point range, and 61.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 76.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 67.9 PPG against them. Kansas has an ATS record of 12-15-1 this season and their O/U record is 12-15-1.


Baylor is entering this game with a 20-8 record overall, a 9-6 conference record, and they are 13-2 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the TCU Horned Frogs in their last game. Yves Missi and Ja'Kobe Walter each led the team in points in that game with 16 while Jalen Bridges was next on the team with 15. RayJ Dennis led the team in assists with 9 in that game while RayJ Dennis led the team in rebounds with 9. They were 37.7% from the field, 40.9% from 3-point range, and 76.5% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 81.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 70.8 PPG against them. Baylor has an ATS record of 16-9-2 this season and their O/U record is 14-13.



Kansas vs Baylor Prediction

The current betting odds have Baylor listed as a 5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Baylor has looked really good in their games this season with their 20-8 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country. They have looked good in the Big 12 with their 9-6 conference record which has them right near the top of the Big 12, but they still haven't been as good as the two teams leading the way. Baylor hasn't been one of the best in the Big 12 this season but they have still looked really good on their home court with their 13-2 home record. Meanwhile, Kansas has also looked really good in their games this season with their 21-7 record overall which has them ranked inside the top 25 teams in the country. They have also looked good in the Big 12 this year with their 9-6 conference record which has them right near the top, but just like Baylor, they haven't been one of the best teams in the conference this season. They have also struggled a lot more in their road games this year with their 3-5 road record and it isn't going to help that they are missing one of their starters for this game too. Baylor and Kansas have both been a lot stronger on their respective home courts this season and with Kansas now dealing with a key injury too, Baylor has a big advantage here to win this home game. The best way to place a bet here is on Baylor to cover the spread in this game. 

Kansas Baylor Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, March 2, 2024 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Baylor 80 Kansas 72.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Kansas Jayhawks Baylor Bears prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAB predictions and previews.

NCAAB Betting Trends


Kansas Jayhawks: 3-7 ATS off an upset loss to a conference rival as a favorite. 5-10 ATS after a game forcing the opponent to commit 8 or less turnovers. 20-12 UNDER as a neutral court underdog or pick. 11-3 UNDER after a game where they failed to cover the spread. 9-5 UNDER after a game forcing the opponent to commit 8 or less turnovers.

Baylor Bears: 17-9 ATS in all games. 13-5 ATS as a favorite. 11-6 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins. 11-5 UNDER revenging a loss vs opponent. 11-5 UNDER off a road win. 8-2 UNDER after playing a game where both teams score 65 points or less.

Key Injuries


Kansas Jayhawks:  K. McCullar Jr. (G) Early March - Knee.

Baylor Bears:  L. Love (G) Ques Sat - Knee. Y. Ndjonga (F) out for season - Knee.

Notable Quotes


“We played pitifully tonight, but when I say we played pitifully, I don't want to take something away from BYU. BYU was better than us. After we go up 12, the second half — they controlled it. We hoped to score. They actually ran offense to score. So give them credit. They caused us to look bad.” - Bill Self after his team’s loss against BYU in their last game on Tuesday.


“They were saying ‘Airball’ after I missed ... but next one, I'm still shooting. Knock it down. I had to shut them up, so blew them a kiss.” - Ja’Kobe Walter after their win against TCU in their last game on Monday.


Starting Lineups


Kansas Jayhawks
K. Adams 
H. Dickinson 
D. Harris 
E. Jackson 
K. McCullar

Baylor Bears
J. Bridges 
R. Dennis 
Y. Missi 
J. Nunn 
J. Walter

Statistical Leaders


Kansas Jayhawks
PPG: C. McCarthy (34)
APG: D. Harris Jr. (6.5)
Reb/G: H. Dickinson (10.9)

Baylor Bears
PPG: J. Walter (14.8)
APG: R. Dennis (6.6)
Reb/G: Y. Missi (5.6)

Coaches:
Kansas Jayhawks: Bill Self (21st season)
Baylor Bears: Scott Drew (21st season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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