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The No. 22 BYU Cougars travel to Waco on Tuesday night to face the Baylor Bears in a matchup where both teams are desperately seeking a momentum shift. For the first time since joining the Big 12, BYU finds itself mired in a four-game losing streak. Kevin Young’s squad has been competitive, often hanging with elite programs like Houston until the final ten minutes, but the inability to close out games against ranked opponents has become a persistent thorn in their side. At 17-6 overall and 5-5 in conference play, the Cougars are looking to stop the bleeding before their tournament seeding takes a significant hit.
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Baylor enters this contest at 13-10, and while their 3-8 Big 12 record looks bleak on paper, Scott Drew’s group appears to be turning a corner. The Bears are coming off a narrow 72-69 loss at No. 7 Iowa State, a game that followed a two-game winning streak. Coach Drew has noted that his team is finally playing the brand of basketball he expected a month ago, making them a very dangerous sub-.500 conference team. With tip-off scheduled for 9:00 PM ET, the Foster Pavilion atmosphere should be electric as the Bears look to secure a signature home win against a reeling BYU team.
Baylor vs BYU Odds
The betting markets currently reflect a near pick-em scenario, which speaks to Baylor’s recent improvement despite their overall record. Bettors should always monitor the latest college basketball odds for any movement as we get closer to tip-off.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| BYU | -118 | -1 (-110) | O 151.5 (-110) |
| Baylor | +100 | +1 (-110) | U 151.5 (-110) |
BYU Betting Form
Everything for BYU starts and ends with freshman phenom AJ Dybantsa. Leading the nation in scoring at 24.0 points per game, Dybantsa is a walking bucket who recently hung 28 on the vaunted Houston defense. He isn’t a lone wolf, however; Richie Saunders (19.0 ppg) and Robert Wright III (17.3 ppg) provide elite secondary scoring. Wright III, a Baylor transfer, will certainly have some extra motivation returning to his former home. You can track their offensive efficiency and road splits on the BYU stats and results page.
The concern for the Cougars lately has been defensive fatigue in the second half. While they play at a high tempo, they have struggled to get stops when the game slows down into a half-court battle. Injuries haven’t been the main culprit for the skid, but rotation depth is always something to watch in the grueling Big 12. Check the BYU injury report for any late-breaking news on their bench unit, as fatigue from this tough schedule could be a factor in Waco.
Baylor Betting Form
Baylor is a much better team than their record suggests, largely due to the emergence of Cameron Carr and Tounde Yessoufou. Carr is averaging nearly 20 points a game and has been the catalyst for their recent offensive resurgence. The Bears have improved their defensive rotations significantly over the last three games, which was evident in how they pushed Iowa State to the brink on the road. For more on their home-court performance, visit the Baylor schedule and stats page.
The Bears have historically been strong at home, but this season has seen some uncharacteristic lapses in Waco. However, the current “upward trend” Scott Drew mentioned makes them a live dog in this spot. They’ve been crashing the glass better lately and shooting the three with more consistency. Before placing a wager, it is wise to consult the Baylor injury report to ensure their primary scorers are ready for the high-possession game BYU likes to play.
Baylor vs BYU Matchup Breakdown
This is a matchup of high-level scoring threats. BYU has the best individual player on the floor in Dybantsa, but Baylor might have the better collective rhythm right now. The pace will likely be dictated by BYU, who loves to push the ball in transition. Baylor will need to be disciplined in their transition defense to prevent Saunders and Dybantsa from getting easy looks before the defense is set.
- BYU leads the series in recent years, but Baylor won the last meeting in Waco.
- AJ Dybantsa leads the NCAA in scoring (24.0 PPG).
- Baylor has covered the spread in three of their last four games.
- Robert Wright III is averaging 17.3 PPG against his former conference foes.
The turnover battle will be crucial. BYU is generally careful with the rock, but Baylor’s pressure has increased in intensity lately. If the Bears can force Wright III and Dybantsa into high-usage mistakes, they can neutralize BYU’s scoring advantage. For those looking to sharpen their Big 12 wagering strategy, our college basketball betting guide offers some deep dives into conference road trends.
Baylor vs BYU Predictions and Best Bets
Despite the No. 22 ranking, BYU is a vulnerable favorite here. A four-game losing streak is a heavy psychological weight, and going into Waco to break that skid is a massive ask. Baylor is playing their best basketball of the season and has the defensive length to at least make Dybantsa work for his points. I think the Bears find a way to win this game outright in front of their home crowd, continuing their late-season “different team” narrative.
Regarding the total, 151.5 feels like it might be slightly too low given the personnel on the floor. You have three players in this game averaging nearly 20 points or more. BYU’s defense hasn’t shown it can stop elite scoring wings lately, and Baylor’s offense is finally clicking. Expect a high-scoring affair that clears the 150-mark comfortably.
Best Bet: Baylor ML (+100).
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NCAAB Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
For more daily insights into the Big 12 and beyond, check out today’s college basketball picks. Our platform provides total transparency, allowing you to follow the hot hand by checking our handicapper leaderboard to see who is currently crushing the college hoops market.
If you are looking for more than just a lean, you can buy expert picks from top sports handicappers who specialize in situational spots like this. Also, with March approaching, don’t forget to keep an eye on the ncaa womens basketball championship odds as those markets continue to evolve.
