Upcoming Match-ups

Kansas vs Baylor Odds, Predictions & Props (Mar. 2)

Zach Reger

by Zach Reger in College Basketball

Updated Mar 1, 2024 · 6:31 PM PST

Feb 3, 2024; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears guard RayJ Dennis (10) celebrates after scoring a three point basket against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
  • We have a Top 15 matchup as #7 Kansas travels to Waco to take on #15 Baylor
  • Kansas is ranked third in the Big 12 standings, while Baylor is ranked fourth
  • See the Kansas vs Baylor odds, player props, and predictions on Mar. 2

March is here, and it’s coming in hot as Kansas and Baylor battle for positioning in the Big 12 standings. Kansas is 21-7 overall with a 9-6 record in the Big 12. Baylor is level with the Jayhawks at 9-6 in Big 12 play, along with a 20-8 record overall. These teams are not only close in the Big 12 standings, they are also ranked 14th (Baylor) and 16th (Kansas) in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency rankings.

This game will be played in Waco, where the Bears are 13-2 this season. They lost their last home game last Saturday to the now #1 Houston Cougars, but they bounced back on the road against TCU last Monday. Kansas lost their last game out at home to BYU 76-68.

This is a rematch from February 10, when Kansas defeated Baylor 64-61 in Lawrence. Despite that loss, the college basketball odds are in Baylor’s favor this Saturday, as the Bears opened as 4.5-point home favorites.

Kansas vs Baylor Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total
Kansas Jayhawks +4.5 (-110) OFF Over 146.5 (-110)
Baylor Bears -4.5 (-110) OFF Under 146.5 (-110)

The odds suggest that Baylor will avenge their three-point loss at Kansas earlier in the season. With an O/U of 146.5, points are expected to be scored in bunches on Saturday. Baylor is averaging 81.6 points per game, while Kansas is averaging 76.6.

FANATICS SPORTSBOOK
Bet & Get Up To $1000 from Fanatics!

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ, CO, KY, MD, OH, MI, TN, VA, WV); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN); (800) 327-5050 or mdgamblinghelp.org (MD); 1800gambler.net (WV)
Available in AZ, CO, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MI, NC, OH, TN, VA, WV. 1 sign up offer per user. Must opt in daily & place $5+ qualifying wager for Bonus Bet match (up to $100) each day for 10 straight days. Must place initial wager within 5 days of account opening. Terms apply.
LOCK IN PROMO
SIGNUP PROMO
BET & GET
UP TO $1,000!

SIGN UP NOW

Odds as of Mar. 1 at DraftKings. Lock in a sign up bonus for DraftKings to get a No Sweat First Bet Up to $1,000 for Kansas vs Baylor.

A win here could elevate either team’s odds to win the National Championship. Both Kansas and Baylor are +4000 to win March Madness.

Kansas Betting Trends

With a 21-7 record, Kansas has covered the spread in just 44.4% of those games. The Jayhawks are 12-15-1 against the spread this season. They are not any better when they are away from Allen Fieldhouse either. Kansas is 3-5 against the spread and straight up on the road this year. The Jayhawks are 2-1 against the spread as underdogs, however.

What sets this Kansas team apart is their defensive rebounding ability. They are first in the Big 12 with 28.2 defensive rebounds per game, which is good for eighteenth in the country. Hunter Dickinson leads that charge with 10.9 rebounds per game. Kansas has a major advantage in that department as Baylor ranks 87th in offensive rebounds.

Dickinson is not just contributing by crashing the boards. He is second on the team in points per game with 18.3. Only Kevin McCuller Jr. averages more than Dickinson. He scores 19 points per game for the Jayhawks. McCuller Jr. can score from anywhere on the court as he is shooting 46.3% from the field. He has also made multiple three-pointers in five of his last six games giving the Jayhawks an even bigger spark.

Baylor Betting Trends

Baylor has been one of the better against the spread teams this season. The Bears are 16-9-2 against the spread, which is good for 64%. Baylor is also 8-4-1 against the spread as home favorites. Waco has given Bayor a strong home court advantage where they have only lost outright twice.

The Bears have one of the most potent offenses in the country, and they will need that to continue to beat Kansas. On their way to averaging over 81 points per game, Baylor is fifth in the country in three-point percentage. They are shooting 39.7% behind the arc and can catch fire quickly. RayJ Dennis and Ja’Kobe Walter lead this offense. Dennis averages 13.3 points per game and is shooting 37.1% from three, while Walter averages 14.4 points per game.

Baylor’s defense has struggled at times this year, but when they need to, they can lock down. The Bears only gave up 54 points to TCU on Monday.

Kansas vs Baylor Player Props

Player Points Rebounds Assists Three Pointers Made
Dajuan Harris Jr. (KAN) 10.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125) OFF 5.5 (Ov -145 | Un +110) 0.5 (Ov -160 | Un +120)
KJ Adams Jr. (KAN) 10.5 (Ov -125 | Un -105) 4.5 (Ov +105 | Un -140) 2.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) OFF
Ja’Kobe Walter (BAY) 14.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) 4.5 (Ov +105 | Un -140) OFF 2.5 (Ov +140 | Un -190)
Jalen Bridges (BAY) 12.5 (Ov -110 | Un -120) 6.5 (Ov -145 | Un +110) OFF 2.5 (Ov +115| Un -155)
Hunter Dickinson (KAN) 18.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) 8.5 (Ov -130 | Un +100) 2.5 (Ov +140 | Un -185) 0.5 (Ov +135 | Un -180)
Johnny Furphy (KAN) 13.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) 6.5 (Ov -120 | Un -110) OFF 1.5 (Ov -135| Un +100)
RayJ Dennis (BAY) 14.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) 3.5 (Ov -130 | Un +100) 6.5 (Ov -140 | Un +105) 1.5 (Ov -105 | Un -125)
Yves Missi (BAY) 11.5 (Ov -145 | Un +110) 5.5 (Ov -115 | Un -115) OFF OFF

College basketball player props from DraftKings.

Hunter Dickinson is averaging 10.9 rebounds a game, so his prop of over 8.5 rebounds offers value, especially given Kansas’s advantage on the glass over Baylor. KJ Adams Jr. averages 3.3 assists per game, which is almost one full assist over his current prop of 2.5.

Ja’Kobe Walter’s rebound prop is right at his average. Walter is averaging 4.5 rebounds per game. RayJ Dennis is averaging 6.6 assists per game which is right at his assist prop. Dennis is averaging 7.5 assists over his last six games, however, so his over could be worth a look.

Kansas vs Baylor Prediction

This game will be an exciting one from start to finish, but I am going to give the edge to the home team. Baylor plays great in Waco, while Kansas has not been great on the road.

Baylor’s offense will be too much for Kansas, and while the Jayhawk offense has been good this year, they are still too inconsistent to trust. The Bears pull away at the end and cover the spread in front of their home fans.

Pick: Baylor -4.5 (-110)

 

Author Image