The Baylor Bears are set to face the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Check out our college basketball odds series, which includes our Baylor Oklahoma State prediction, odds, and pick.
The Baylor Bears are shorthanded, but they are still finding ways to cope with their limitations, as college basketball odds analysts understand. Baylor recently lost forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua for the season with an injury. On a Baylor team which lacks superstars and needs every piece to the puzzle to function well in order for the team to thrive, this is a notable injury. However, Baylor has built an identity and culture under coach Scott Drew in which players are willing to do the dirty work and don't need to get the credit for winning. They just want to achieve the goal and do whatever it takes to succeed. The unselfishness of the Baylor lineup leads to a dynamic in which role players are ready to help when teammates get hurt.
When thinking about a Baylor Oklahoma State prediction, it is important to realize that Baylor might struggle on the boards with Tchamwa Tchatchoua out of the lineup. It's not as though this Baylor team can match full-strength Baylor. However, recent wins over Texas and TCU show that Baylor can cope even when missing an important piece.
Oklahoma State is ineligible for the NCAA Tournament, but that hasn't stopped the Cowboys from competing hard. They beat Kansas State in overtime this past Saturday. Earlier in the season, they won at Baylor. They recently blew out West Virginia. They have very clearly shown that they are not an easy out in the conference. They demand every team's robust effort and honest attention every time they take the floor. They have been an annoyance for their Big 12 Conference opponents and have shown that they won't fade away. They aren't as talented as most of the teams in the Big 12, but coach Mike Boynton, who has done a good job with the program under considerable constraints, will not allow Oklahoma State to give anything less than its best effort. That is part of the calculus in a Baylor Oklahoma State pick.
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Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Baylor-Oklahoma State odds:
College Basketball odds: Baylor-Oklahoma State Odds
Baylor: -4.5 (-110)
Oklahoma State: +4.5 (-110)
Over: 138.5 (-106)
Under: 138.5 (-114)
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Why Baylor Could Cover the Spread
The Bears just did get swept by Texas Tech, but Texas Tech is a possible No. 2 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament with one of the best home-court advantages in the country. Oklahoma State is not nearly in the same league as Texas Tech. Even without Tchamwa Tchatchoua, Baylor will be motivated and good enough to turn the tables relative to the previous matchup the Baylors lost to the Cowboys this season.
Why Oklahoma State Could Cover the Spread
The Cowboys outworked Baylor the last time the two teams met, and now Tchamwa Tchatchoua is out. Oklahoma State is still getting four and a half points. That's a great opportunity to again cover the spread versus Baylor. The Pokes obviously covered in their win in Waco several weeks ago.
Final Baylor-Oklahoma State Prediction & Pick
Baylor probably wins outright, but Oklahoma State should be able to stay close against a Bear team without one of its most important players.
Final Pick: Oklahoma State +4.5
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