The Kansas Jayhawks (15-5) travel to face off against the Baylor Bears (12-7) on Saturday, February 1st. This game will be played at Foster Pavilion in Waco and televised on ESPN. Kansas is coming off a win in their previous game, while Baylor is looking to get back on track from a loss to the BYU. Tip-off is set for 4:00 ET.
Kansas Jayhawks vs Baylor Bears
The Jayhawks Are Coming Off A Win
Kansas Jayhawks Recent Game/Games
The Jayhawks improved to 15-5 on the season with a 91-87 win over UCF on Tuesday. Kansas was a -13 favorite at home but didn’t cover the spread.
After trailing 43-41 at halftime, Kansas turned things around by scoring 50 points in the 2nd half while allowing 44. The total points for the game were 178, going over the 151.5 O/U line.
The Bears Are Coming Off A Win
Baylor Bears Recent Game/Games
The Bears fell to 12-7 on the season after a 93-89 road loss to BYU on Tuesday. Baylor entered the game as +4 point underdogs and pushed against the spread. The total points of 182 exceeded the O/U line of 143.5.
Baylor trailed 44-36 at halftime but tightened up defensively in the 2nd half, outscoring BYU 42-34. Despite the improved defense, they couldn’t complete the comeback.
Jayhawks Offense Breakdown
Kansas put up 91 points in their last game, shooting 43.8% from the field and 47.6% from beyond the arc, hitting 10 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 51.6%, and they were strong at the free-throw line, converting 25 of 29 attempts for 86.2%.
Keyshawn Hall led the way with 34 points, hitting 5 of 7 from deep. Zeke Mayo and Hunter Dickinson each added 24 points, with Mayo connecting on 6 of 10 threes. The Jayhawks grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and dished out 14 assists in the win.
Bears Offense Breakdown
Baylor’s offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 89 points with a 50% shooting performance from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 60%, thanks in large part to their 46.4% shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 13 of 28 attempts.
VJ Edgecombe led the way with 28 points, connecting on 6 of 8 threes, while Kanon Catchings was perfect from the field, going 8 for 8 and 4 for 4 from deep, finishing with 23 points. Robert O. Wright III added 22 points and 6 assists, and Baylor dished out 18 assists as a team, grabbing 14 offensive rebounds.
Jayhawks Team Defense
Despite Kansas holding their opponent to 41% shooting from inside the arc, they couldn’t contain the three-point line, allowing 10 threes on 47% shooting. The Jayhawks also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 29 times, where they converted 25 attempts at an 86% clip.
Kansas struggled on the boards, giving up 15 offensive rebounds, which contributed to their opponent scoring 87 points. Overall, the Jayhawks allowed 43% shooting from the field.
Bears Team Defense
Despite Kansas holding their opponent to 41% shooting from inside the arc, they couldn’t contain the three-point attack, allowing 10 threes on 47% shooting. The Jayhawks also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 29 times, where they converted 25 attempts, contributing to the 87 points allowed.
Kansas struggled on the boards, giving up 15 offensive rebounds. This, combined with their opponent’s efficient shooting from the perimeter and the free-throw line, led to a challenging defensive outing for the Jayhawks.
Jayhawks vs Bears Trends
- Although Kansas has a straight up record of 5-5 in their last ten road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 5-5. The team averaged 68 points per game in these games.
- Through their last ten home contests, the Bears offense has averaged 72 points per game while allowing an average of 80. Baylor posted an overall record of 3-7 while going 1-8-1 ATS.
- Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Jayhawks have a straight up record of 1-2. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-2.
- Across their last three matchups as the betting favorite, the Bears have an overall record of 2-1 while going 1-2 against the spread.
Jayhawks vs Bears Prediction
For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Bears to secure the win, with an expected final score of 77-69. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -1.5.
As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 144.5, and our model projects the Jayhawks and Bears to reach a combined total of 146 points. Our bet is on taking the over.
All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!
* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.
Last updated:February 1, 2025 Baylor Bears, Kansas Jayhawks