Bet On NCAA Basketball: Bears (3) vs Wildcats (1)
While Duke was knocked out by Lehigh in Round of 64, many people did have Baylor meeting Kentucky in the Elite Eight in the South Region.
NCAA Tournament Matchup: Baylor vs. Kentucky
South Region
Location: Atlanta, GA
Time/TV: 2:20 PM EST on CBS
College Basketball Gambling Odds from Bookmaker
NCAA Basketball Betting Favorite: Kentucky -7.5
Over/Under: 148
This one classifies as a high profile matchup that many are looking forward to. The Bears have tons of athletic ability, but can they stick with the dominant Wildcats?
Kentucky is the huge favorite to cut down the nets this year, but they’ll need to take it one game at a time.
Baylor bested Xavier 75-70 Friday night. The Bears had an early 22-4 lead before giving almost their entire lead up. At the end of the game, Baylor led by 10 or 12 points before turning it over and committing silly fouls to give Xavier a couple last chances. Clearly, the Bears can’t make silly mistakes like that against Kentucky or they’ll be hurt in a big way.
Perry Jones III, Quincy Acy, and Quincy Miller form an extremely talented frontcourt. Jones is extremely inconsistent, but he has almost as much upside as anyone in this game. Acy is the tough guy on the inside who can board and battle in the paint.
Miller is a versatile forward who steps out and knocks down shots from long range. Pierre Jackson has been sensational in the backcourt for Baylor this year. Brady Heslip is one of the best three-point shooters in the nation. The Bears average 74.8 points per game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Kentucky is the odds on favorite to win it all because of their amazing athleticism and balance. Anthony Davis is likely to be named Player of the Year, and no one in college basketball makes as big of a difference on the defensive end of the floor.
Davis leads the team in scoring and rebounding, but his 168 blocks are the most impressive statistic in the nation. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist lit it up for 24 points and ten rebounds in the Wildcats win over Indiana Friday. Doron Lamb shoots 47.4% from three-point range, and he is capable of carrying the team.
Terrence Jones has become far more consistent as the season has moved along, and he is the type of guy that is a very tough cover for any team.
Marquis Teague has grown by leaps and bounds through this season. Opponents shoot just 37.5% from the floor against Kentucky.
Kentucky showed that they can win at any pace with their win over Indiana Friday night. The Wildcats are a much more consistent team than Baylor, and I think the Bears will struggle to stay with Kentucky for 40 minutes.
Free College Basketball Pick: Kentucky -7.5
Prediction: Kentucky 82 Baylor 70
