Two teams having relatively disappointing seasons up to this point will meet this afternoon in a very important Big 12 matchup when the Kansas Jayhawks take on the Baylor Bears.
Find out why my Kansas vs Baylor predictions and college basketball picks see a low-scoring contest on Saturday, February 1.
Kansas vs Baylor prediction
My best bet
Under 142 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
These two Big 12 juggernauts have dominated this conference before but are struggling this season.
Based on recent performances, this total may be a little higher than it should be. The Kansas Jayhawks have allowed 87 and 92 points in the last two games, respectively, and the Baylor Bears allowed 93 points in their last contest.
However, the Jayhawks rank 40th in the country in scoring defense at 66.0 points per game and 11th in field goal percentage allowed at 38.3%. They also rank 18th in the nation in opponent floor percentage and fifth in defensive efficiency in KenPom rankings.
Meanwhile, the Bears rank 61st in steals per game and 54th in turnovers forced. They also rank 324th in KenPom’s adjusted tempo and 251st in possessions per game. Baylor likes to play slow and depend on efficiency and rebounding to win games.
This will play into the Kansas gameplan of depending on slow play and scoring within the 3-point line.
The weakness of the Baylor defense is allowing threes. They rank 327th in the country, allowing opponents to shoot 36.3% from downtown. However, Kansas is not a great 3-point shooting team, only getting 27.1% of their points from deep.
Sometimes, high-scoring games can be created through turnovers and getting easy points off those turnovers. However, Kansas ranks 86th in the country in turnovers given and 239th in turnovers taken. Baylor does not turn the ball over often either, ranking 55th nationally.
With both teams playing clean games and not forcing turnovers or getting second-chance points, I can see a very low-scoring game here.
Kansas vs Baylor same-game parlay (SGP)
Baylor has won each of the past four matchups at home, and the Jayhawks may again be without Dajuan Harris Jr, which will be a massive loss. I will go with the alt spread of 1.5 to get a little better odds than just the moneyline.
Kansas allows most of its points from beyond the arc and does not allow many free throws. Norchad Omier gets a big percentage of his points between two-point field goals and free throws. He has also scored 15 or less in three of his last five games.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Kansas vs Baylor odds
Kansas vs Baylor live odds
Kansas vs Baylor opening odds
- Spread: Kansas +1 | Baylor -1
- Moneyline: Kansas -105 | Baylor -115
- Over/Under: Over 145.5 | Under 145.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Kansas vs Baylor betting trend to know
Kansas has hit the game total Under in 22 of its last 33 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Kansas vs. Baylor.
How to watch Kansas vs Baylor
Location | Foster Pavilion, Waco, TX |
Date | Saturday, 2-1-2025 |
Tip-off | 4:00 p.m. ET |
TV | ESPN |
Kansas vs Baylor key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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