The Baylor Bears and Oklahoma Sooners are both undefeated in Big 12 conference play so Tuesday evening, something has to give.
Baylor has picked up where they left off last season, with a 13-0 record and the top ranking in the nation. However, the Sooners are a dangerous team and could make a game out of it.
College basketball odds have Baylor as the double-digit favorites.
- Game: Oklahoma Sooners (11-2) at Baylor Bears (13-0)
- Location: Ferrell Center, Waco, TX
- Day/Time: Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. ET
Oklahoma Sooners at Baylor Bears
Sooners Seeking Fifth Straight
The hallmark of the Oklahoma Sooners is their defense, ranking 28th in the country.
The Sooners have been stout on defense, and although they score only 74.5 points per game, allowing 60.1 points results in wins.
They sit at 11-2 following four consecutive wins, including a gutsy 71-69 victory over Kansas State. However, those bettors who took the Sooners at -8 weren’t happy with the end result.
It was their second consecutive failed attempt at covering the sportsbook line after beating Alcorn State, 72-48, as a 26½ favorite. The Sooners are only 6-7 against the spread.
However, they can stay within the double-digit line against Baylor if the forwards oblige. We’re looking at Tanner Groves and Jalen Hill to do most of the damage, but if they struggle in the paint, it may be be a long night.
Groves is still in Covid protocol, so he’s questionable to play according to coach Porter Moser.
“They’re out of their five-day quarantine,” Moser told The Norman Transcript. “Yesterday we didn’t practice, we walked through some stuff. We’ll know more tomorrow. We’ve got more questions we’ve got to answer, but they’re out of their five-day quarantine window and we’ll know more tomorrow. That’s all I can really give you right now.”
They don’t do all the little things the Bears do, such as steals and blocks. However, with a team field goal percentage of 50.1%, OU generally select the right shots and makes them count.
Covering a dozen -point spread isn’t beyond the Sooners, but it doesn’t get much harder than facing the defending champions at home.
Bears Finding Top Gear
It hasn’t been as spectacular as last season, but the Baylor Bears continue to win home games this season.
Some nervous moments as well when beating Iowa State, 77-72, as a -7½ road favorite. Although they didn’t cover, it was only Baylor’s fourth spread loss.
James Akinjo was the leading scorer for the Bears with 16 points, outstanding from the assists leader.
The betting online spread is high, co sidering they gave Oregon only seven points. However, bookmakers are factoring in potential missing players for the Sooners, which has had a big impact on the market.
Bears Score Statement Win
The Bears know this is a potential slip-up game, so they should come out firing on all cylinders.
Nothing can be taken for granted in college basketball. The likes of Purdue, Duke and Arizona have all suffered surprise losses to end their unbeaten runs, so Baylor doesn’t want to join them.
Based on numbers, the Bears should score a runaway win and maintain their spot at the top of the Big 12 championship.
