NCAA Basketball Matchup: Mississippi State vs. Baylor
Wednesday’s college hoops slate is a pretty big one, but there isn’t a bigger matchup on the card than this one. Two top 15 teams will square off in Waco as Mississippi State takes on the Baylor Bears.
NCAA Basketball Matchup: Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Baylor Bears
9:00 PM EST
College Basketball Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
NCAA Basketball Betting Favorite: Baylor -8
Over/Under: 142.5
The Bulldogs lost at home to Akron in their second game of the year, but they have run off 11 straight wins since then. Baylor has pulled out a couple close hard fought wins at BYU and West Virginia in the past couple weeks. The Bears come into this game unbeaten.
Mississippi State has eight players who play a lot of minutes. The Bulldogs have four guys averaging double figures in points this season. Renardo Sidney is starting to step up like the coaches had hoped he would for a while now. Sidney averages 10.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Dee Bost is an ultra-talented point guard who creates open looks for his teammates. Arnett Moultrie has been the real star of the team so far this year. Moultrie is a transfer from UTEP, and he is averaging 17.8 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. The Bulldogs average 77.2 points per contest.
Baylor probably has the single most talented frontcourt in all of college basketball. Perry Jones III is a player the NBA scouts drool about. Jones is averaging 14 points and 7 boards per game. Quincy Miller is only a freshman, but he is making a major impact for this Bears squad. Miller is a versatile forward who can shoot it well and get on the glass as well. Quincy Acy is a fourth year senior who gets the job done consistently. Acy doesn’t get the recognition that some of the other stars on this team get, but he is a winner. Baylor’s athleticism and length make it tough for opponents to get quality shots. Opponents are shooting just 36.5% against this Bears team.
Both of these teams can score in bunches. Expect Bost to put up some points against Baylor’s guards, but Baylor should win the battle in the frontcourt. I think this one goes over.
Prediction: Baylor 76 Mississippi State 69
