College Basketball Score Prediction: Baylor Bears vs Kansas Jayhawks
Monday, January 16, 2012
by Joe Rodriguez
Sole possession of first place in the Big 12 will be on the line when No. 4 Baylor Bears travels to Allen Fieldhouse to take on 10th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks as part of ESPN's Big Monday.
These are the only two 4-0 teams in conference play, and at 17-0, Baylor is tied for the fourth-best start of any team in Big 12 history.
It is expected to be a fierce inside battle with both teams built from the inside out. Kansas ranks first in the Big 12 in rebound margin and second in blocked shots, while Baylor ranks second and first in those categories, respectively.
The Jayhawks lead the all-time series 16-2 and are 9-0 in Lawrence.
- Baylor Bears @ Kansas Jayhawks
When: 9:30 PM ET, Monday, January 16, 2012
Where: Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
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SBG Global Sportsbook currently have the Jayhawks listed as 6-point favorites versus the Bears.
Baylor Bears (17-0): Coach Scott Drew has had some good teams in his nine years in Waco, but this is shaping up to be his finest. In their undefeated start, the Bears have proven they can come through in close games (4-0 in matchups decided by five points or less), but they can also easily dispose of weaker opponents, as they did in a 106-65 thrashing of Oklahoma State on Saturday. Baylor's deep front line is undoubtedly its greatest strength, but the play of guards Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip has taken this team to another level. The duo has 85 combined points over the past three games, and Jackson also has 26 assists during that stretch to move to fifth in the conference in assists per game (5.1).
Kansas Jayhawks (14-3): While the Bears are known primarily for their depth in the front court, the Jayhawks are led by junior forward Thomas Robinson, who has made an early case for National Player of the Year. Robinson averages 17.2 points and a Big 12-leading 12.2 rebounds per game. Jeff Withey — a 7-foot junior — is Kansas' other main contributor inside, leading the conference with 53 blocks (3.1 per game). Senior Tyshawn Taylor — who's coming off a career-high 28 points in an 82-73 win over Iowa State — will likely be matched up with Jackson on the perimeter.
1. The Bears are 1-4 all-time in ESPN Big Monday contests, with the lone win coming against Kansas in 2001.
2. Baylor is the only Division I school in the nation with undefeated teams in both men’s and women’s basketball (combined 33-0).
3. Kansas is 4-0 in conference play for the 12th time in the 16-year history of the Big 12.
BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Bears 68, Jayhawks 66.
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allen fieldhouse - baylor bears - brady heslip - jeff withey - kansas jayhawks - pierre jackson - scott drew - thomas robinson - tyshawn taylor
