Baylor Bears at Kansas Jayhawks: Game Predictions

While every single game in the Big 12 conference seems like a crucial game for the regular-season race, Saturday's game between the Kansas Jayhawks and Baylor Bears seems like the biggest of them all. While Kansas is leading the conference standings by half a game, Baylor is right behind and rates out better overall in the advanced metrics Both teams are dealing with injuries/illnesses, and there is a chance that neither team will be at full strength.

Naturally, all of this leads to some uncertainty surrounding what we can expect to see in this game. Will Kansas build on a strong showing against Iowa State without two crucial pieces? Will Baylor get back on track after a loss to Alabama and then a closer-than-expected win over West Virginia?

Our crew gets together to tell you what we think you can expect to see tomorrow.

Think we have it wrong? Come join us on the Blue Wings Rising Discord Server and join the conversation!

Derek Noll: I don’t know man, I’m just not seeing it for this one. Kansas could win, don’t get me wrong, but I think it’ll take some really hot outside shooting to get it done. Baylor is too strong and hands KU it’s first (and it will be its only) conference loss at home.

Baylor 77, Kansas 67.

Brendan Dzwierzynski: I’m having a hard time reading this one. I’ll feel better if Agbaji is able to go, and the play first, think second way the Iowa State game unfolded has encouraged me more that this team is poised for a run. On the other hand, Baylor has better size and athleticism than KU, something that just hurt the Jayhawks a week ago. I’ll lean with history, specifically referencing the 33 years since the last time KU lost consecutive games at Allen Fieldhouse, but I’m not especially confident with it.

Kansas 79, Baylor 78.

Kyle_Davis21: I’m with Brendan that this is a hard one to read. The Ochai question mark is a big one and while Baylor can be turnover-prone, the Bears are also great at crashing the offensive glass and being efficient from inside the arc. The Jayhawks will need a great game from David McCormack and Jalen Wilson. I think Baylor and Kansas split the season series, and while I would normally take both teams at home, timing has a lot to do with this. KU is not at full strength (no Remy and even if Ochai can play, there’s no certainty he’s at 100%). It feels strange (and wrong) to say, but I’ll take Baylor to narrowly win before Kansas gets revenge in Waco later this month.

Baylor 76, Kansas 74

Andy Mitts: There are questions about the availability of LJ Cryer and Adam Flagler on the Baylor side for this game. Kansas is definitely missing Remy Martin, and the availability of Ochai Agbaji is up in the air. However, just like we saw the rest of this Kansas team step up against Iowa State earlier this week, Baylor is a deep team with a lot of talent that can step up and perform at a high level. As I discussed today on the podcast with Matt Wilson, the key to this game is going to be how well David McCormack stands up against a stacked frontcourt for Baylor. None of them are as quick or athletic as Kentucky's lineup. Add in that a lot of Baylor's pressure comes by overcommitting to jumping passing lanes and help defense, and there WILL be places for Kansas to find easy shots. The real question as always is if this team can get out of their own way. I think they do, and extend their lead.

Kansas 79, Baylor 73

Add us as a preferred source on Google