Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-7) vs #4 Baylor Bears (16-0)
The Oklahoma State Cowboys have been trading wins and losses for the last 5 games. That pattern looks likely to continue as they visit a perfect Baylor team on Saturday – they won their last game just in case you didn’t know where I was going with this.
Saturday January 14
Ferrell Center, Waco TX
3:00PM
Moneyline: Baylor -1400, Oklahoma State +1000
Spread: Baylor -14
O/U: 129
Oklahoma State
There were some who thought this team could be a bit of a sleeper in the Big 12 this year but right now they are pretty much in the middle of the pack. If they want to have any success they need to learn to score the ball better. They have really had only two reliable options all season long in guard Keiton Page and freshman wing LeBryan Nash. The Big 12 is a good league and it is a lot to ask this duo to carry this team.If they are going to be able to solve the Bears Nash has to have a big game.
The frosh was among the most heralded in the country and at 6’7” 230 can be a bit of a challenge to match up with physically. He has scored 21 points in two of the past three games and will need to match that, or more, for the Cowboys to hang with Baylor. These are two very good defensive teams so the game could be played in the 60’s. Nash is from Texas so maybe he gets fired up to be closer to home.
Baylor
It is hard to poke at perfection. Baylor is still going strong and is likely to rise just a little higher in the polls with Ohio State losing to Illinois. They have not been an ATS darling at just 5-4 against the number and it is very possible they could be looking ahead on Saturday with a big trip to Kansas and a visit from Missouri next week. I wouldn’t say fade the Bears but the number might not provide much value. I think, without a doubt, they are the most talented team in the conference and they have proven they can win close games as well as blow people out.
This is a dangerous team right now. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
His numbers may not jump out at you but Perry Jones III is very much the real deal. He is so smooth for a player his size and might be the top player in the draft come spring. As good as he, and the rest of the frontcourt is though, it is the production they are getting from their guards that is making the difference.
Many questioned whether Pierre Jackson and Brady Heslip could get it done and they keep answering in spades. They take good care of the ball, share it well and can make foul shots down the stretch to win games.
They play much better than you would think they would given this is their first year of action with Baylor.
Spread Pick: Baylor
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Baylor 74 – Oklahoma State 59
