The TCU Horned Frogs (12-1, 1-0 Big 12) visit Waco to take on the 16th-ranked and perennial national title contender Baylor Bears (10-3, 0-1) Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the TCU vs. Baylor odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Despite the Bears being ranked No. 16, coach Jamie Dixon’s Horned Frogs are the better team.
While Baylor had an early December victory over current No. 12 Gonzaga (64-63), recent games have been more of a struggle. The Bears lost their Big 12 opener as 1.5-point road favorites 77-62 at Iowa State Saturday. Coach Scott Drew’s Bears need to get things figured out quickly if they hope to threaten Kansas for the Big 12 title or if they hope to make another tournament run.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
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TCU at Baylor odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:14 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): TCU +200 (bet $100 to win $200) | Baylor -280 (bet $280 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): TCU +6.5 (-115) | Baylor -6.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 143.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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TCU at Baylor picks and predictions
Prediction
Baylor 80, TCU 65
Moneyline
PASS.
Coach Dixon has the Horned Frogs (+200) playing inspired basketball — perhaps inspired by their football team.
Baylor (-280) better be inspired after suffering the 15-point loss to Iowa State. The Bears don’t want to open 0-2 in Big 12 play.
They should win this game, especially at home, but the ML price of -280 isn’t worth the risk as it will cost 2.8 times the potential return. However, I can see adding it to a parlay wager.
Against the spread
BET BAYLOR -6.5 (-105).
Baylor should be focused. Expect the Bears to come out hot in this game. TCU will get caught up in the tide and could get eaten alive by Baylor in this one. BAYLOR -6.5 (-105) is my FAVORITE PLAY in this Big 12 contest.
I also like BAYLOR -3.5 (-110) in the 1ST HALF.
Over/Under
BET OVER 143.5 (-115)
Both teams have offenses which can score. Baylor will attempt to push the pace of this game and TCU will be forced to play keep up. As the Bears pull away, the Horned Frogs will hit quicker shots and draw this game into a high-scoring affair.
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