BYU vs Baylor Basketball Prediction, Odds & Picks: Back the Bears to Outmuscle the Cougars in Waco

After being on the wrong end of a road upset in their Big 12 debut, BYU will look to be on the right end of one tonight as the #18 Cougars visit #14 Baylor (9:00 pm ET, Big 12/ESPN+).

Entering conference play, BYU had a sparkling 12-1 record and a top-15 ranking. However, they fell flat in their conference debut. The Cougars led by seven after a low-scoring first half in Provo, but Cincinnati roared back in the second half, holding BYU to a season low in points in a 71-60 victory.

Does that result say more about how the Bearcats are better than expected than about how the Cougars are not as good as their ranking and metrics? Tonight's game in Waco will be a good indication.

Like BYU, Baylor is 12-2, but the Bears are coming off of a victory in their conference opener. They had to work an extra five minutes for itd—and needed a late four-point play by RayJ Dennis to force overtime—but they left Stillwater with a 75-70 win over Oklahoma State.

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BYU vs Baylor Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline. If you're interested in trying them out, we recommend checking out our BetOnline review.

Spread

• BYU +4.5 (-112)
• Baylor -4.5 (-108)

Over/Under

• Over 154.5 (-110)
• Under 154.5 (-110)

Moneyline

• BYU +170
• Baylor -195

Last Five Games for BYU

• Cincinnati (1/6 – home): lost 71-60
• Wyoming (12/30 – home): won 94-68
• Bellarmine (12/22 – home): won 101-59
• Georgia State (12/16 – home): won 86-54
• Denver (12/13 – home): won 90-74

Last Five Games for Baylor

• Oklahoma State (1/6 – away): won 75-70 (OT)
• Cornell (1/2 – home): won 98-79
• Mississippi Valley State (12/22 – home): won 107-48
• Duke (12/20 – New York, NY): lost 78-70
• Michigan State (12/16 – Detroit, MI): lost 88-64

Players to Watch for BYU

• Jaxson Robinson: 15.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 40.2% 3PT
• Trevin Knell: 12.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 46.5% 3PT
• Noah Waterman: 11.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 39.2% 3PT
• Spencer Johnson: 10.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.6 APG
• Richie Saunders: 10.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 54.9% FG

Players to Watch for Baylor

• Ja'Kobe Walter: 15.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 40.0% 3PT
• RayJ Dennis: 14.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 42.5% 3PT
• Langston Love: 11.0 PPG, 45.2% 3PT
• Yves Missi: 10.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.1 SPG, 1.9 BPG, 67.5% FG
• Jayden Nunn: 9.9 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.3 SPG, 45.9% 3PT

BYU vs Baylor Prediction and Picks

Prediction: Baylor to win

The Cougars' non-conference run included wins over San Diego State and North Carolina State, but it also featured a number of cupcakes, and in their lone true road game, they fell at rival Utah.

I don't think we'll see BYU fall off the map now that they have hit Big 12 play, especially because they don't have to play Kansas, Houston, Oklahoma, or Texas twice.

But I don't see tonight being a winning night for the Cougars, who will have a much better night offensively than they did against Cincinnati but won't be able to leave Waco with a win.

Baylor's ugly loss to Michigan State remains an eyesore, but they are the better team in this matchup and will show it.

BYU vs Baylor Picks

All picks listed below are courtesy of BetOnline. Bet these plays there and get a 100% BONUS on your first cryptocurrency deposit.

Spread & Over/Under Picks

Baylor -4.5 & BYU/Baylor over 154.5: Both teams scored well below their season averages (they are #1 and #2 in the Big 12 in scoring, with BYU at 88.2 PPG and Baylor at 88.1 PPG) last time out but look for both teams to hit the 80-point mark in a high-scoring, entertaining matchup at the Ferrell Center.

Best Player Prop Bets for BYU vs Baylor