- We have a Top 15 matchup as #7 Kansas travels to Waco to take on #15 Baylor
- Kansas is ranked third in the Big 12 standings, while Baylor is ranked fourth
- See the Kansas vs Baylor odds, player props, and predictions on Mar. 2
March is here, and it’s coming in hot as Kansas and Baylor battle for positioning in the Big 12 standings. Kansas is 21-7 overall with a 9-6 record in the Big 12. Baylor is level with the Jayhawks at 9-6 in Big 12 play, along with a 20-8 record overall. These teams are not only close in the Big 12 standings, they are also ranked 14th (Baylor) and 16th (Kansas) in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency rankings.
This game will be played in Waco, where the Bears are 13-2 this season. They lost their last home game last Saturday to the now #1 Houston Cougars, but they bounced back on the road against TCU last Monday. Kansas lost their last game out at home to BYU 76-68.
This is a rematch from February 10, when Kansas defeated Baylor 64-61 in Lawrence. Despite that loss, the college basketball odds are in Baylor’s favor this Saturday, as the Bears opened as 4.5-point home favorites.
Kansas vs Baylor Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas Jayhawks | +4.5 (-110) | OFF | Over 146.5 (-110) |
| Baylor Bears | -4.5 (-110) | OFF | Under 146.5 (-110) |
The odds suggest that Baylor will avenge their three-point loss at Kansas earlier in the season. With an O/U of 146.5, points are expected to be scored in bunches on Saturday. Baylor is averaging 81.6 points per game, while Kansas is averaging 76.6.
Odds as of Mar. 1 at DraftKings. Lock in a sign up bonus for DraftKings to get a No Sweat First Bet Up to $1,000 for Kansas vs Baylor.
A win here could elevate either team’s odds to win the National Championship. Both Kansas and Baylor are +4000 to win March Madness.
Kansas Betting Trends
With a 21-7 record, Kansas has covered the spread in just 44.4% of those games. The Jayhawks are 12-15-1 against the spread this season. They are not any better when they are away from Allen Fieldhouse either. Kansas is 3-5 against the spread and straight up on the road this year. The Jayhawks are 2-1 against the spread as underdogs, however.
What sets this Kansas team apart is their defensive rebounding ability. They are first in the Big 12 with 28.2 defensive rebounds per game, which is good for eighteenth in the country. Hunter Dickinson leads that charge with 10.9 rebounds per game. Kansas has a major advantage in that department as Baylor ranks 87th in offensive rebounds.
HUNT for threeeeee#INEV1TABLE x @H_Dickinson24 pic.twitter.com/6ZXmWW6dhI
— Kansas Men’s Basketball (@KUHoops) February 28, 2024
Dickinson is not just contributing by crashing the boards. He is second on the team in points per game with 18.3. Only Kevin McCuller Jr. averages more than Dickinson. He scores 19 points per game for the Jayhawks. McCuller Jr. can score from anywhere on the court as he is shooting 46.3% from the field. He has also made multiple three-pointers in five of his last six games giving the Jayhawks an even bigger spark.
Baylor Betting Trends
Baylor has been one of the better against the spread teams this season. The Bears are 16-9-2 against the spread, which is good for 64%. Baylor is also 8-4-1 against the spread as home favorites. Waco has given Bayor a strong home court advantage where they have only lost outright twice.
The Bears have one of the most potent offenses in the country, and they will need that to continue to beat Kansas. On their way to averaging over 81 points per game, Baylor is fifth in the country in three-point percentage. They are shooting 39.7% behind the arc and can catch fire quickly. RayJ Dennis and Ja’Kobe Walter lead this offense. Dennis averages 13.3 points per game and is shooting 37.1% from three, while Walter averages 14.4 points per game.
Baylor’s defense has struggled at times this year, but when they need to, they can lock down. The Bears only gave up 54 points to TCU on Monday.
Kansas vs Baylor Player Props
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dajuan Harris Jr. (KAN) | 10.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) | OFF | 5.5 (Ov -145 | Un +110) | 0.5 (Ov -160 | Un +120) |
| KJ Adams Jr. (KAN) | 10.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) | 4.5 (Ov +105 | Un -140) | 2.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | OFF |
| Ja’Kobe Walter (BAY) | 14.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 4.5 (Ov +105 | Un -140) | OFF | 2.5 (Ov +140 | Un -190) |
| Jalen Bridges (BAY) | 12.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) | 6.5 (Ov -145 | Un +110) | OFF | 2.5 (Ov +115| Un -155) |
| Hunter Dickinson (KAN) | 18.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | 8.5 (Ov -130 | Un +100) | 2.5 (Ov +140 | Un -185) | 0.5 (Ov +135 | Un -180) |
| Johnny Furphy (KAN) | 13.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | 6.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) | OFF | 1.5 (Ov -135| Un +100) |
| RayJ Dennis (BAY) | 14.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | 3.5 (Ov -130 | Un +100) | 6.5 (Ov -140 | Un +105) | 1.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) |
| Yves Missi (BAY) | 11.5 (Ov -145 | Un +110) | 5.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) | OFF | OFF |
College basketball player props from DraftKings.
Hunter Dickinson is averaging 10.9 rebounds a game, so his prop of over 8.5 rebounds offers value, especially given Kansas’s advantage on the glass over Baylor. KJ Adams Jr. averages 3.3 assists per game, which is almost one full assist over his current prop of 2.5.
Ja’Kobe Walter’s rebound prop is right at his average. Walter is averaging 4.5 rebounds per game. RayJ Dennis is averaging 6.6 assists per game which is right at his assist prop. Dennis is averaging 7.5 assists over his last six games, however, so his over could be worth a look.
Kansas vs Baylor Prediction
This game will be an exciting one from start to finish, but I am going to give the edge to the home team. Baylor plays great in Waco, while Kansas has not been great on the road.
Baylor’s offense will be too much for Kansas, and while the Jayhawk offense has been good this year, they are still too inconsistent to trust. The Bears pull away at the end and cover the spread in front of their home fans.
Pick: Baylor -4.5 (-110)
The highly anticipated matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks and the Baylor Bears on March 2nd is sure to be a thrilling game for college basketball fans. Both teams are currently ranked in the top 10 in the nation, with Kansas sitting at number 6 and Baylor at number 2. With so much on the line, this game is expected to be a close and intense battle between two powerhouse programs.
In terms of betting odds, Baylor is currently favored to win this matchup. The Bears have been on a hot streak this season, boasting an impressive 21-1 record and coming off a dominant win against Oklahoma State. On the other hand, Kansas has had a solid season as well, with a 19-7 record and a recent win against Iowa State. However, the Jayhawks will have their work cut out for them against the formidable Baylor team.
When it comes to predictions, many experts believe that Baylor will come out on top in this game. The Bears have been playing at a high level all season and have proven themselves to be a tough team to beat. However, Kansas is known for their strong defense and ability to come up big in crucial moments, so they could certainly pull off an upset in this matchup.
As for prop bets, there are several options to consider for this game. One popular prop bet is the over/under on total points scored, which is currently set at around 140 points. Given the offensive firepower of both teams, it’s likely that this game will be high-scoring, so taking the over could be a smart bet. Another prop bet to consider is the point spread, which is currently set at around 4 points in favor of Baylor. If you believe that Kansas can keep this game close or even pull off a win, taking the Jayhawks with the points could be a profitable bet.
Overall, the Kansas vs Baylor matchup on March 2nd is shaping up to be a must-watch game for college basketball fans. With both teams vying for a top seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament, this game will have significant implications for their postseason aspirations. Whether you’re a fan of either team or just looking to place a bet, this game is sure to provide plenty of excitement and drama on the court.
