Baylor Bears vs Mississippi State Bulldogs – NCAA Tournament Preview – March 21, 2025
Baylor and Mississippi State meet in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon. The game takes place in Raleigh, North Carolina, with tip-off set for 12:15 PM ET. Baylor enters as the ninth seed in the East Region, while Mississippi State is the eighth seed. Both teams are looking to advance and face a potential second-round matchup with top-seeded Duke.
<p>Baylor holds a 19-14 record this season and finished seventh in the Big 12 standings. Mississippi State sits at 21-12 after placing tenth in the SEC. The last meeting between these teams took place in March 2018, when Mississippi State edged Baylor 78-77. Both teams have struggled recently, making this matchup important for momentum moving forward.
Baylor Preview – Can the Bears Overcome Key Injuries?
Baylor has relied heavily on its top scorer, Norchad Omier, who averages 15.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. The forward played a big role in the team’s recent games and will need to continue producing. Guard Jeremy Roach, a transfer from Duke, also brings postseason experience and adds scoring depth.
The Bears have faced challenges since center Josh Ojianwuna’s season-ending knee injury. Without him, Baylor has struggled on the defensive end, allowing opponents to control the paint. Guard Langston Love, who missed the Big 12 tournament due to an ankle injury, is expected to return and provide a boost.
Baylor is 4-6 in its last 10 games, with close losses highlighting their struggles late in games. They have failed to cover the spread in 14 of their last 34 games. Scoring remains solid, but defensive lapses have hurt their chances against tougher opponents.
Mississippi State Preview – Can Hubbard Keep the Bulldogs Going?
Mississippi State is led by guard Josh Hubbard, who averages 18.7 points per game. Hubbard has been a reliable scorer throughout the season and will need to be at his best in this tournament matchup. He scored 24 points in the Bulldogs’ most recent game and continues to be their offensive focal point.
The Bulldogs have dropped three of their last four games, showing inconsistency down the stretch. They’ve managed wins against LSU but struggled against stronger opponents. Their defense has allowed 74.2 points per game this season, ranking them near the bottom in defensive efficiency.
Mississippi State has also struggled against the spread, covering in just 15 of their last 34 games. Their defense has struggled to slow down strong shooting teams, which could be a concern against Baylor’s solid offensive lineup.
Betting Prediction
Mississippi State is a slight 1.5-point favorite with a total set at 144.5. Both teams have been inconsistent lately, making this a difficult matchup to predict. Baylor’s experience in close games could play a role if this contest goes down to the wire.<
With Langston Love back for Baylor and Omier’s strong presence inside, Baylor’s offense should find success. Mississippi State’s struggles defensively could open the door for Baylor to pull off the upset.
Pick: Baylor +1.5
We expect this to be a great start to the day of action for the NCAA Tournament!
