Two schools that have had trouble earning ATS wins so far this season will hit the hardwood at the Ferrell Center in Waco on Friday night as the Baylor Bears play host to the BYU Cougars.
Baylor (2-4 ATS) and BYU (4-6 ATS) met last year as well, with the Bears pulling out a slim 86-83 road victory over the Cougars as a 4-point underdog on the college basketball betting lines at the sportsbooks. That game turned out to be an OVER result.
The Bears sit at 7-3 (2-4 ATS) on the season. By comparison, the Cougars are currently 8-3 (4-6 ATS). Looking to wager on the totals? Baylor is 3-2 OU, and BYU is 2-2-1 OU.
View BYU vs Baylor Odds and Stats.
Betting Line:
The Cougars were listed as 8-point underdogs at many online sportsbooks, including Sportsbook. The total was sitting at 151.5 earlier Friday at Sportsbook.
Power Rankings / Prediction:
According to new college basketball power rankings here, it's the No. 85-ranked Bears and the No. 61-rated Cougars in this matchup. Computer formulas aimed at predicting NCAAB scores point to a 83-80 win for the Bears on Friday.
How They Match Up:
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Baylor has the nation's No. 47-rated offensive output, at 76.7 PPG. The visiting Cougars defense ranks No. 240 allowing on average 69.3 PPG. The Bears FG% has averaged 48.1% so far, more than the Cougars marksmen have achieved on the year, 45.3% per game.
Defensively, BYU features the nation's No. 305-rated defense on the road, allowing 79.2 points per game. Baylor, meanwhile, comes in at No. 90 nationally in scoring at home.
BYU was a 95-62 Sportsbook in its last match at home against Eastern New Mexico. The Cougars blew out Eastern New Mexico on Tuesday, running up a 20+ point victory in a 95-62 win at Marriott Center.
Baylor was a 73-57 Sportsbook in its last match at home against USC Upstate. Baylor got 17 points from Cory Jefferson en route to a 73-57 victory over USC Upstate on Monday at Ferrell Center.
BYU Cougars Trends:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Northern Arizona are 0-1
After playing Eastern New Mexico are 1-0
After a win are 6-4
Baylor Bears Trends:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Gonzaga are 2-0
After a win are 5-5
A few Cougars at Bears trends to consider:
BYU is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
BYU is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Baylor is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games at home
Baylor is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
Next up:
BYU home to Northern Arizona, Thursday, December 27
Baylor at Gonzaga, Friday, December 28
