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The Norfolk State Spartans (6-4) and the No. 25 Baylor Bears (6-3) meet Wednesday at Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas. Tip-off is set for noon ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college basketball odds around the Norfolk State vs. Baylor odds, and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions.
The Spartans meet the Bears for the third time since March 17, 2022, an NCAA Tournament first-round game. Norfolk State lost 85-49 as a 20.5-point underdog in that game while the Under (137.5) cashed. The Spartans also fell 87-70 in Waco Nov. 11, 2022, but Norfolk State covered as a 24-point ‘dog while the Over (144) cashed that day.
Norfolk State suffered an 80-67 loss against Hofstra in the Tidewater Monday as a 4.5-point favorite, halting a 5-game cover streak. The Over is 3-1 in the past 4 outings.
Baylor roughed up Abilene Christian Monday, winning 88-57 as a 24.5-point favorite to snap an 0-4 against-the-spread (ATS) skid. The Over has hit in 3 in a row and 6 of the past 7 contests.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll
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Norfolk State at Baylor odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college basketball odds. Lines last updated at 2:44 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Off the board (OTB)
- Against the spread: Norfolk State +25.5 (-110) | Baylor -25.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 142.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Norfolk State at Baylor picks and predictions
Prediction
Baylor 87, Norfolk State 60
Moneyline
The ML is OTB, but even if you wanted to play Baylor straight up, you would have to lay at least -10000 — that’s obviously not a recommended long-term betting strategy.
AVOID, and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
BACK BAYLOR -25.5 (-110) lightly at home. While the Bears are just 1-4 ATS in the past 5 games, they’re 3-1 ATS in 4 games against non-power conference opponents this season.
Norfolk State +25.5 (-110) is 2-0 ATS as a double-digit underdog, so be careful. This is anything but a slam-dunk play; it’s simply a lean. Play a half-unit at most.
Over/Under
OVER 142.5 (-110) is the play in this matinee battle in Waco.
The Over has hit in 3 of the past 4 games for the Spartans, although the Under is 1-0 in its only game against a power conference team to date, Stanford of the ACC. Those teams combined for 133 points with a total of 143.5.
For Baylor, though, the Over has hit in 3 in a row, and 6 of the previous 7 outings, while going a perfect 4-0 in 4 games against non-power conference foes.
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