Kansas' couldn't outperform the rigors of the Big 12, evident in its games the last week, a home win over the best defense in the country in Houston followed by an overtime loss at rival Kansas State.
The Jayhawks return home on Saturday to face another Big 12 contender in Baylor, but should thrive off the Allen Fieldhouse crowd against a hapless Baylor defense. However, can the Jayhawks cover the spread?
We have you covered with our full betting preview ahead of this Saturday showdown from Lawrence, Kansas. Using odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, here's our best bet for this Big 12 meeting on Saturday night.
Baylor vs. Kansas Odds, Spread and Total
Kansas vs. Baylor Betting Trends
- Baylor is 13-8-1 against the spread (ATS) this season
- Kansas is 10-12-1 ATS this season
- Kansas has gone OVER in seven of the last 10 games
- Baylor has gone OVER in 12 of 21 games
Baylor vs. Kansas How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, February 10th
- Game Time: 6:00 PM EST
- Venue: Allen Fieldhouse
- How to Watch (TV): ESPN
- Baylor Record: 17-5
- Kansas Record: 18-5
Baylor vs. Kansas Key Players to Watch
Baylor
RayJ Dennis: Dennis continues to put up big numbers for the Bears, fresh off a 21-point effort against Texas Tech while grabbing four rebounds, dishing out five assists and racking up four steals in a home win against Texas Tech. The Bears are built on its offense and Dennis has been doing it all for the team, can he take the team on the road and outduel a formidable Kansas roster?
Kansas
Hunter Dickinson: Baylor can't stop anybody at the rim, so this can be a monster outing for the Jayhawks big man, who is averaging nearly 19 points and 11 rebounds per game while shooting 58% from the field. The Jayhawks have been playing better as Dickinson's lingering knee injury appears to not be a concern anymore, and I expect him to keep it rolling on Saturday.
Baylor vs. Kansas Prediction and Pick
This is setting up for a Kansas route on its home court.
The Bears defense has been a disaster this season, particularly weak at defending at the rim, 275th in field goal percentage allowed at the rim according to Haslametrics. Against a Kansas offense that is the No. 1 team in the country in assist rate while ranking fifth in field goal percentage at the rim, the hosts should get whatever they want downhill and score at will.
Meanwhile, this is a Baylor team that hasn't beaten a team inside the KenPom top 60 in a true road game all season, it's two road wins are against UCF and Oklahoma State, arguably the two worst teams in the conference. According to Haslametrics, the Bears are 346th in away from home rating, meaning the team sees a massive drop-off on the road this season.
I believe Kansas' offense dominates this matchup and is able to pull away from a Baylor team that is seventh in effective field goal percentage in Big 12 play and struggles on the road.
Lay it with the home favorite.
PICK: Kansas -6.5
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Track Reed's bets here!