Big 12 Tournament: Cincinnati vs. Baylor odds, picks and predictions
The No. 13 Baylor Bears (22-9) battle the Cincinnati Bearcats (20-13) in the quarterfinal of the Big 12 Championship Thursday. Tip from T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Mo., is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Cincinnati vs. Baylor odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
No. 3 seed Baylor is No. 13 in the Paste BN Sports Coaches Poll. The Bears lost to the Texas Tech Red Raiders 78-68 Saturday, failing to cover as a 2.5-point underdog. They won 3 of their last 4 to close the regular season and finished 3rd in the Big 12, earning a double bye. Baylor beat Cincinnati 62-59 on the road on Jan. 13, the only matchup between them.
The Bearcats beat the Kansas Jayhawks 72-52 in the 2nd round Wednesday, covering as a 3-point favorite. They took down the West Virginia Mountaineers 90-85 in a massive comeback Tuesday in the 1st round, closing as a 9.5-point favorite. Cincinnati is 17-16 ATS on the season and has covered in 4 of its last 6 games. It is the 11th seed in the Big 12 Tournament.
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Cincinnati vs. Baylor odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:23 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Cincinnati +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Baylor -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cincinnati +6.5 (-102) | Baylor -6.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Cincinnati vs. Baylor picks and predictions
Prediction
Baylor 78, Cincinnati 70
Moneyline
PASS.
The Bearcats will be playing their 3rd straight game and may not have the fuel to keep the gas on. However, at -300, Baylor also isn't worth a moneyline play.
Against the spread
BET BAYLOR -6.5 (-120).
The Bears beat Cincinnati on the road while having fewer offensive rebounds and more turnovers earlier in the season. They are 2-1-1 ATS in their last 4 games and 17-10-3 ATS on the season.
The Bearcats have scored easily, notching 72 or more in both tournament games and in 3 straight games in general. They will have a far tougher time against a competent defense and may struggle to keep pace with the Bears, especially heading into their 3rd straight win-or-go-home battle.
Take the fresh Bears and back BAYLOR -6.5 (-120).
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Over/Under
LEAN OVER 140.5 (-115).
The Bearcats have been scoring well as of late, getting to 70 in 5 straight games. They have scored 90 or more in 2 of their last 3 and scored 72 on Kansas despite shooting 38% from the field. They have an athletic side and play at a fast pace.
The Bears are 16-14 O/U on the season and have gone Over in 3 of their last 5, scoring at least 82 in 2 of their last 3. They put 76 on Houston on Feb. 24, and the Cougars have the best defense in the nation. Baylor can score, and it should on Thursday evening.
Take OVER 140.5 (-115).
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