BYU Cougars vs. Baylor Bears Prediction – Jan 9, 2024
![](https://www.bettingbrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Baylor-basketball-780x470.jpeg)
Now that the college football season is officially over, there will be a much bigger focus on the college basketball season and conference action. On Tuesday night it will be the BYU Cougars visiting the Baylor Bears for a Top 25 battle in the Big 12 Conference.
BYU is in their first season in the Big 12 Conference, and they have actually looked like they belong up to this point. The Cougars come into this game with a record of 12-2, but they did suffer a loss in their most recent game.
Baylor is also coming into this game with a record of 12-2, and they have some momentum as well. The Bears have rattled off three straight wins ahead of this matchup and they are back into the Top 25 at number 14.
The Baylor Bears are 3.5-point betting favorites over the BYU Cougars in this huge Big 12 Conference battle.
Cougars Can Get Some Stops
The BYU Cougars have been a terrific team on both ends of the floor this season, but their biggest strength has come on defense. BYU is allowing just 62 points per game this season, and that is the biggest reason that they are in the Top 25.
Not only have the Cougars been dominant on defense this season, but they have proven that they can be extremely explosive as well. BYU is scoring over 88 points per game, but they have struggled against better teams on their schedule.
Guard Jaxson Robinson leads the way with 15.2 points per game this season, and he is going to have to shoot the ball well to win this matchup.
Bears Can Really Shoot
The Baylor Bears are averaging 88.1 points per game this season, and they have been able to attack opponents in many different ways. Baylor is shooting better than 51 percent from the floor, and they are extremely dangerous from the three-point line.
Guard Ja’Kobe Walter is leading the way for Baylor on offense, but this team has a number of players that can take over a game. Baylor will trying to push the tempo in this game in an attempt to wear down the BYU Cougars.
The numbers will show that the Baylor Bears are giving up 69 points per game, but they can be even better than that. It’s going to take a complete effort for Baylor to win this game, and playing at home will give them an edge as well.
Bears Get Big Win
The BYU Cougars do look like they belong in the Big 12 Conference, but proving it each night is going to be a challenge. BYU has been a great defensive team all season long, but they will struggle to get stops in this one.
The Baylor Bears continue to play a ton of different defenses throughout a game, and they are always on the attack. Baylor is going to shoot the ball well in this game and that will allow them to pull away in the second half.
Bet on the Baylor Bears at -3.5 as they will pick up another massive Big 12 Conference win over a very solid BYU Cougars team.