NCAAB: Baylor vs. Texas odds, preview, and pick
Baylor Bears guard Jared Butler (12) drives to the basket against TCU. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire)
February 1st, 2021
The No. 2 Baylor Bears take to the road on Tuesday night in one of their toughest contests of the season as they face the No. 5 Texas Longhorns. Both teams are tough, deep, and talented, and it should make for an intense night for a national television audience.
Baylor is 16-0, while Texas is 11-3. However, the Longhorns' three losses have been by a combined total of just seven points.
Baylor a deserving favorite
Baylor enters the game as a road favorite, but they have earned that distinction. The Bears, along with Gonzaga, are one of only two major basketball programs to remain undefeated at this point in the season, and despite their constant position as a favorite they are still 12-4 against the spread.
Jared Butler (@J_Hooper11) offers some powerful shooting gravity. That paired with his first step and handle allows him to get downhill for the floater. pic.twitter.com/AH1ww6W2WV
— Zach Smith (@z_smith33) January 30, 2021
The Bears are third in KenPom’s offensive and defensive efficiency rankings, and have four players averaging double figures in scoring. All-Big 12 guard Jared Butler leads the way with 16.8 points per game.
The Bears are an incredibly proficient three-point shooting team, with 32.1 points per game coming from deep. Head coach Drew Scott not only has talented guards that can shoot, but he also has plenty of live bodies on the bench, with nine players logging 10 minutes or more per game.
Texas is slipping
Texas has been a tough team all year long, winning 11 games including decisive victories at Kansas and vs. Indiana, as well as narrow victories against North Carolina, Oklahoma State, and West Virginia. Their three losses have come to Villanova, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma.
First career double-double for @242_jones. 💪#HookEm pic.twitter.com/vJac5zMcYW
— Texas Men’s Basketball (@TexasMBB) January 29, 2021
After starting the season strongly, however, a rash of COVID-19 positive cases disrupted the Longhorns' year and their rhythm. Texas has lost two of its last three contests, and has only played one game since Jan. 16. Expect some rust as the Longhorns try to return to peak form.
Baylor's backcourt will lead the way
Given their long layoff, the Longhorns should have a lot of energy to pour into this matchup. Against a team as well-rounded as Baylor, however, it may not be enough. Both teams’ strength lies in their guard play, and Baylor’s are a notch better.
Texas will likely have an advantage on the boards, but look for Baylor’s three-point shooting to be the difference in the outcome as the Bears pull off another resume-building victory.
Score prediction: Baylor 86, Texas 79
Pick: Baylor
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