NCAAB: Bears vs Sooners Predictions
College basketball betting action sees the Baylor Bears taking on the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday January 3 at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Oklahoma. Cappers Picks provides free NCAAB handicapping tips all season long.
This is the first conference game for a couple of programs off to good starts.
Bet on College Hoops
#22 Baylor Bears (11-1) vs. #21 Oklahoma Sooners (9-3)
Saturday January 3
4:00PM
Lloyd Noble Center – Norman, OK
ESPNU
NCAAB Betting Lines: Oklahoma -8
NCAAB Betting Total: n/a
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The B12 is really competitive this season and every game will count.
Baylor
It is showing the strength of the program Scott Drew is building down in Waco that the Bears have gotten off to a strong start in a so called rebuilding season.
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The Bears have done good work heading into conference play with just a single loss and even though they haven’t knocked off any giants they should be able to compete in the second tier of the B21 and likely qualify for postseason play.
These guys are little less flashy this season but so far the results have been there.
There is not a lot of high wattage stars for Baylor this year but there are some players.
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Powerful Rico Gathers in currently battering his way to averaging a double-double and Taurean Prince and Royce O’Neal have taken advantage of the opportunities presented to them with larger roles.
One surprise if that Kenny Cherry has not been very good. His play has created more of a role for freshman point Lester Medford.
Oklahoma
Since Lon Kruger has been in Norman the Sooners have been very competitive.
With Kansas maybe taking a step back this season there was some thought the program could rise but what we have seen is a good team not one that is looking to take the league by storm.
I expect that they will win their home games, like this one, but the real tests will be if they can go into Laurence or Austin and steal a game.
If not this team is still likely to go dancing at the end of the season but not much more than that.
The Sooners have 4 starters averaging 10 points or more led by Buddy Hield.
With the addition of Houston transfer Tashawn Thomas Oklahoma has a nice balance of inside and perimeter and Thomas and Ryan Spangler make sure the Sooners don’t get eaten up on the glass.
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Thomas is only 6’8” but he is also averaging more than a block per game.
Protecting the rim will be key against Baylor’s quick guards.
NCAAB Handicapping Trends:
- Under is 7-2 in BAY last 9 overall.
- BAY are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 vs. Big 12.
- BAY are 15-6-1 ATS in their last 22 games overall.
- Under is 7-2 in OKLA last 9 overall.
- OKLA are 20-6-1 ATS in their last 27 Sat. games.
- Under is 6-2 in OKLA last 8 home games.
- Road team is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
- BAY are 8-22-2 ATS in the last 32 meetings.
NCAAB Prediction: Baylor +8
Its the first conference game of the year and I expect it to be pretty spirited.
4* NCAAB Score prediction: Oklahoma 74 – Baylor 70
OU might have bit more star power but I like the way the Bears have been playing. This one will be decided in the final minute and the Bears look like good value.
Check out our Updated College Basketball Betting Odds.
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