Offense meets defense when the No. 8 Wichita State Shockers (5-1) visit Baylor to take on the No. 16 Bears (5-1). The game can be seen on ESPNU at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2, 2017.
Wichita State is a 1-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 137.5 points.
Wichita State Shockers at Baylor Bears Betting Prediction
The last time the Shockers played, they dismantled the Savannah State Tigers, 112-66. The Shockers held the Tigers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 15.9 (below their season average of 27.2). The Tigers had a free throw rate of 0.113 (below their season average of 0.263). With 31 points on 11-for-17 shooting, Samajae Haynes-Jones was the game’s leading scorer.
The Bears fell to the No. 21 Xavier Musketeers in their last contest, 76-63. Xavier’s 0.321 free throw rate was their largest strength over Baylor, who had a mark of 0.179. The Musketeers’ mark was below their season average of 0.372, while the Bears’ was below their season average of 0.300. Baylor’s Mark Vital put up 11 points and seven rebounds in the game.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Baylor takes on the elite defense of Wichita State. Dating back to last season, the Bears rank 41st in offensive efficiency, while the Shockers are third in defensive efficiency. The Shockers should be expected to protect the ball well. They rank 45th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.7 percent). Conversely, the Bears have forced the 65th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.4 percent).
Wichita State heads into the game with records of 5-1 straight up (SU) and 2-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been spot on when setting the O/U total of Shockers games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Baylor owns records of 5-1 SU and 2-1 ATS. Bears games tend to go under the total (66.7 percent).
Wichita State Shockers vs. Baylor Bears Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Wichita State, ATS Winner – Wichita State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
Wichita State ranks eighth in assists allowed per game (10.2) while Baylor ranks 172nd (13.3).
The Shockers rank 145th in three pointers attempted per game (21.7) while the Bears rank 284th (18.2).
Wichita State ranks 144th in steals per game (6.3) while Baylor ranks 258th (5.0).
The Bears average 4.7 blocks per game, which ranks 46th in the NCAA. The Shockers rank 142nd in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Wichita State ranks second in rebounds per game (41.9) while Baylor ranks 65th (38.1).
