#11 Kansas vs Baylor NCAAB Pick: Bears Look to Bounce Back Against Rivals (Feb 1)

• Kansas defeated UCF on Tuesday in a high-scoring, 91-87, thriller.
• Baylor fell short against BYU, losing 93-89, and dropping to 13-7.
• These two teams last met on March 2, in a game that Baylor won 82-74.

The college basketball season is heating up as March nears. In our Kansas vs Baylor pick, the Bears are seeking to topple their Big-12 rival at home and salvage their dwindling NCAA Tournament hopes.

Kansas Rising in Standings

Kansas has won six of their last eight games and is quietly knocking on the door of the top-10 once again. The Jayhawks may not look as dominant as years past, but they will be a tough team to get past in March. Kansas is projected to receive a 4-seed in the NCAA Tournament, but needs to keep winning.

The veteran presence of C Hunter Dickinson has allowed the Jayhawks to employ multiple lineups at a high success rate. Their offense has been hot and cold, which could put them in a vulnerable position against Baylor. They need to avoid turning the ball over and wasting possessions if the shots don’t fall.

Baylor Slid to Bubble

A 5-4 start in Big-12 play has the Bears currently projected to receive a 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament. A double-digit seed means they are right on the bubble. Any additional losses will be detrimental to their hopes. At the same time, games against teams like Kansas offer a crucial opportunity.

After losing to BYU, Baylor needs to avoid losing their next two games against Kansas and Texas Tech. If they fall to 5-6 in Big-12 play, they will be in serious danger. On the other hand, winning both games would cement them safely in the field. Watch for top-scorer Norchad Omier to have a big game.

Kansas Jayhawks vs Baylor Bears Pick

Home-court advantage is going to be a key aspect of this game. The Bears are 9-1 at home but just 4-6 on the road. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks are only 3-3 on the road versus 10-2 at home. In this game, Baylor has the home-court advantage, matching their 9-1 record up against Kansas at 3-3. Additionally, the Bears are closer to dropping out of the projected tournament field. This is a must-win game for them.