A pair of top-25 teams from the Big 12 will battle it out Saturday as the No. 14 Baylor Bears (18-6, 7-4) take on the No. 17 TCU Horned Frogs (17-7, 6-5). The Horned Frogs will host this one at Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena, with tipoff scheduled for 4:00 pm ET.
Baylor is the slight favorite despite playing on the road. They are -125 to win, while the Horned Frogs’ moneyline sits at +104. The spread features TCU as 1.5-point underdogs (-110), and the over/under for total points is 149.5 (-110).
Baylor Looking For Revenge
This will be the second time that these two teams have squared off this season. In the first meeting, TCU was able to pull off a one-point upset on the road to take down the Bears. With that sour taste still in their mouths, Baylor will look to return the favor and upset the Horned Frogs on their own floor.
In that loss, Keyonte George led the way with 27 points. The freshman guard has led the Bears all season in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game on 39.1% shooting. He is also averaging 4.4 rebounds and three assists per game.
Other contributors for Baylor include Adam Flagler (15.4 points, 5 assists, 1.4 steals), LJ Cryer (14 points, 2.1 rebounds), and Jalen Bridges, 9.8 points, 6 rebounds). Unfortunately, Cryer injured his foot last game and is questionable Saturday.
Overall, Baylor ranks 22nd in scoring, averaging 79 points per game (71.7 on the road). Defensively, the Bears rank 148th, allowing opponents an average of 69.2 points per game (74.4 on the road).
TCU Looks To Snap Losing Streak
The Horned Frogs have gone 17-7 this season, including 11-2 on their home floor, but they have been in a bit of a rut as of late. Having lost two games in a row, they will look to bounce back as they host Baylor Saturday.
The last two losses have both come on the road, having lost to No. 12 Kansas State (82-61) and Oklahoma State (79-73). They will look forward to getting back in front of their home faithful, as they have won their last three home contests.
The Horned Frogs rank 46th in the nation in scoring this season, averaging 76.6 points per game. They are led by junior guard Mike Miles Jr (18.1 points, 2.8 rebounds). In the first matchup between the two teams, he had 33 points. Unfortunately, Miles is questionable for this one with a knee injury.
Emanuel Miller (13 points, 6.5 rebounds) and Damion Baugh (13 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.2 assists) have also had great seasons for TCU.
Check Injury Report Closer To Game
Looking at the trends, Baylor is 8-1 straight up and 6-2-1 against the spread in their last nine games. In their last 20 games against TCU, they are 15-5 and 14-6 against the spread.
As for the Horned Frogs, they are 9-1 in their last 10 home games and 14-6 in their last 20 overall. The total has gone OVER in nine of their last 11 home games versus Baylor.
This one is a tough one to call. One of the biggest difference-makers is Mike Miles. If he is able to play, there is a lot of value in taking TCU and the points at home. If not, Baylor might be the better play.
With Miles having not played the last handful of games, it is encouraging he is at least listed as questionable. Assuming he is a go, take the Horned Frogs +1.5 (-110).
