Big 12 Betting This Week: Houston Impresses as BYU Surprises
The NCAA basketball lines in the Big 12 have been challenging to predict given the depth of the conference. The Big 12 continues to be the best conference in college basketball.
We just couldn’t wait any longer…
Check out the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship bracket preview 🏀 pic.twitter.com/a2JrR5CpeF
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) February 18, 2024
With less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Big 12 has six teams ranked inside the Top 25 in the latest AP Poll. Three of these teams are inside the Top 10 with Houston, Iowa State and Kansas among the top college basketball programs heading into the NCAA tournament.
Texas Tech forward Darrion Williams is The Associated Press national men’s college basketball player of the week after a perfect shooting performance in a rout of then-No. 6 Kansas last week. https://t.co/bAiG3W6oeg pic.twitter.com/WPESMbGSI7
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) February 20, 2024
Here is what bettors need to know about the Big 12 heading into March Madness.
Houston Will Be More of NCAA Tournament Threat after Big 12 Schedule
No. 2 Houston has shown no drop-off in the team’s transition to the Big 12. Not only has the team been able to shift from the AAC but the Cougars will enter March Madness much more battle-tested.
Big 12 in AP poll
2. Houston
6. Iowa State
9. Kansas
11. Baylor
23. Texas Tech
25. BYURV: TCU (54)
— Ethan Bock (@ethanbock_) February 19, 2024
Houston came away with an 8-point win over No. 6 Iowa State but the team never looked in danger in the Top-10 showdown. The Cougars have not been quite as hot at the window going 12-12-2 in the NCAAB odds this season.
Given Houston’s stout defense, it is no surprise that the Cougars games are trending toward the under. Houston’s contests have gone under in 15 games, with the over cashing 11 times.
There is no rest for the weary as Houston hits the road as the Cougars take on No. 11 Baylor in one of the marquee college basketball matchups this weekend. Houston already has wins over No. 16 Dayton, Xavier, Texas A&M, No. 23 Texas Tech, No. 25 BYU and Texas (twice).
Will Baylor Make a Statement Against Houston?
Baylor is looking to bounce back after sustaining a seven-point loss at BYU. The Bears will be tested heading into the Big 12 tournament.
Three of Baylor’s final five games are against ranked opponents: Houston, No. 9 Kansas and Texas Tech. The Bears have marquee wins over No. 14 Auburn, No. 24 Florida, Iowa State, Texas Tech and Oklahoma.
Baylor has rewarded bettors going a red-hot 15-8-2 ATS in the college basketball odds. It will be worth watching how the Bears finish this gauntlet of a schedule to see if Baylor is a legitimate contender in the odds to win March Madness.
Heading into this final stretch, Baylor sits as a projected No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament, per ESPN’s Joe Lunardi. The Bears could jump in the seeding with a strong finish given the number of opportunities the team still has against ranked opponents.
What Do We Make of Kansas?
If the NCAA tournament was played at Allen Fieldhouse, we would sure like Kansas’ chances in the March a lot better. The Jayhawks have been susceptible in road matchups often playing down to their opponents away from Lawrence.
Kansas can put this notion to rest with upcoming road matchups against Baylor and Houston. The Jayhawks will be tested heading into the conference tournament. Kansas has remaining matchups against Texas, BYU, Baylor, rival Kansas State and Houston.
This does not factor in challenging matchups Kansas will face in the Big 12 tourney. The Jayhawks still have a chance to work their way into one of the four No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. Lunardi has Kansas as No. 2 seed with five regular-season games remaining.
Star big man Hunter Dickinson will make Kansas a tempting pick in March Madness, regardless of the team’s vulnerability on the road. The Jayhawks have struggled in Vegas going 11-15-1 against the spread this season.
BYU Continues To Be Sneaky Threat
Outside of Houston, BYU has been the best new addition to the Big 12. The Cougars showed off their potential with a recent seven-point upset win over Baylor.
THE CUT: Baylor🎥 pic.twitter.com/MbrbXjBhS2
— BYU Men’s Basketball (@BYUMBB) February 23, 2024
BYU is starting to accrue a number of signature wins, including victories over Iowa State, Texas and Kansas State. The Cougars have also shown vulnerability, the kind you expect from a team reliant on their elite 3-point shooting.
BYU made just 22.9% of their 3-point attempts against Oklahoma State. This resulted in a surprising 10-point loss to the Pokes.
Bettors have enjoyed riding the BYU wave. The Cougars are 15-11 ATS in the college basketball lines.
BYU has the makeup of a team that can make a Sweet 16 run, especially with its hot shooting. It would also not be a surprise if the Cougars have an early exit making BYU a giant shrug emoji heading into March Madness. The Cougars are projected to be a No. 6 seed heading into their final games.
Questions Of The Day
Who is a sleeper team for bettors to watch in the Big 12?
BYU has pulled off several upsets with wins over Iowa State and Baylor.
Who is the best team in the Big 12?
Houston continues to be the class of the Big 12 but will be tested against Baylor.
