It will be a matchup between two stifling defenses when the 16th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats (21-7, 11-4 Big 12) challenge the Baylor Bears (19-9, 10-5 Big 12) at Fred Bramlage Coliseum. The game will air on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 2, 2019.
Baylor Bears at Kansas State Wildcats Betting Odds
In their last matchup, the Wildcats were beaten by the 15th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks, 64-49, while the Bears barely escaped the Texas Longhorns, 84-83.
Baylor played a nearly flawless game. They had a fantastic free throw rate of 0.323 (above their season average of 0.216) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 50.0 (above their season average of 39.0). Texas was 0.097 and 30.3, respectively, for those same stats. Kansas State, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (16.9 vs. 14.0). Kamau Stokes had a solid performance for Kansas State, contributing 12 points. Mario Kegler played a pivotal role for Baylor with 24 points and seven rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Stokes led the Wildcats to a 70-63 victory. He was the game’s leading scorer with 20 points. Converting at the free throw line was one of Kansas State’s biggest strengths. They were 15-17 (88.2 percent), while the Bears were just 7-11 (63.6 percent).
Half-court execution will be critical when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams clash. Kansas State ranks 336th in possessions per game (64.5) and Baylor is 317th (65.8). Also, the Bears rank 261st in turnover percentage (20.0 percent), while the Wildcats rank 27th in opponents’ turnover percentage (22.7 percent).
Baylor at Kansas State Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Kansas State, ATS Winner – Kansas State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Baylor ranks 13th in blocks per game (5.0) while Kansas State ranks 205th (2.1).
- The Wildcats average 7.3 steals per game, which ranks 62nd in the nation. The Bears rank 72nd in steals allowed per game (5.8).
- The Bears average 23.3 three pointers per game, which ranks 116th in the nation. The Wildcats rank 147th in three pointers allowed per game (22.5).
- Baylor is 21st in the country with 31.3 rebounds allowed per game while Kansas State is 33rd with 31.8 rebounds allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
- The Bears have been outscored by an average of 1.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Baylor has defeated opponents by an average of 6.3 points.
- During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 66.8 points per game (0.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 60.6 points per game (1.1 above their season average).
