Houston Cougars (23-3) vs. Baylor Bears (19-7)
Houston Cougars vs. Baylor Bears 2/24/24 – The upcoming NCAA Men’s Basketball game on Saturday, promises to be an electrifying showdown between the Houston Cougars and the Baylor Bears. With the Cougars boasting an impressive 23-3 record going up against the Bears, who have secured 19 wins out of 26, this match is set to be a highlight of the season. The game, scheduled for a midday tip-off at Foster Pavillion, will be broadcasted live on CBS, drawing in a vast audience of college basketball enthusiasts eager for free NCAAB matchup analysis.
The Cougars come into this contest red-hot, having won four of their last five games to claim first place in the conference standings. They boast one of the most efficient offenses in the country, ranking in the top 10 nationally in field goal percentage (43.4%) and 3-point field goal percentage (34.4%). However, Houston has struggled against the spread recently, going just 1-3 ATS over their last four outings.
Baylor has also played well of late, winning four of five with their lone loss coming by just three points on the road. The Bears feature a high-powered offense that averages over 80 points per game on the season. They’ve been strong against the number too, covering in three of their previous four contests. But Baylor has been up and down away from home, posting a middling 6-4 ATS record in road tilts.
Houston Cougars vs. Baylor Bears 2/24/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 12:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Foster Pavillion |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
L.J. Cryer (Guard) vs. Ja’Kobe Walter (Guard)
Houston’s L.J. Cryer has put together an outstanding junior campaign, averaging 15 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting efficiently from the field (40%), the 3-point arc (37.8%) and the foul line (85.7%). His scoring prowess gives the Cougars a dynamic perimeter threat that helps open things up for the rest of the offense. However, Cryer can be streaky at times, as evidenced by a recent four-game stretch where he shot just 32% from the floor.
For Baylor, Ja’Kobe Walter anchors the backcourt with his steady two-way play. He’s scoring over 14 points per contest while adding 4.5 boards and 1.6 assists as well. Walter is solid from downtown (32.3%) and the charity stripe (84.9%) too. His versatility allows him to impact the game in many ways. But he has had some turnover issues lately, coughing the ball up at least three times in three of his past five outings. This is something to watch against Houston’s disruptive defense.
In their head-to-head matchup, Cryer’s shooting ability gives him the slight edge on the offensive end. But Walter is the superior defender and decision-maker, two skills that could loom large against a Cougars team that forces lots of mistakes. Overall these two talented guards should basically negate each other, meaning the outcome will likely be decided by their supporting casts.
NCAAB Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are yet to be determined, reflecting the closely matched nature of these two teams. With both teams showing strong recent form, the odds are expected to be tight.
Houston Cougars Betting Trends
The Cougars check in with an impressive 16-7 overall ATS record this season. However, they’ve hit some road bumps of late, going just 1-3 against the number over their last four contests. Houston has also struggled to cover at home, posting a subpar 2-7 ATS mark in their previous nine games as a host.
Baylor Bears Betting Trends
Baylor has been a bit less consistent from a betting perspective this year at 15-10 ATS. But they come into this matchup in solid form, covering the number in three of their past four outings. Additionally, the Bears have been strong as road underdogs, bringing in a sterling 6-4 ATS record when taking points away from.
Houston Cougars vs. Baylor Bears 2/24/24 Betting Picks
Considering the performance and statistics of both teams, this game promises to be tightly contested. The Cougars’ strong win-loss record and the Bears’ offensive efficiency suggest a game that could go either way. However, given the Bears’ slightly better performance against the spread and their high scoring average, they might hold a slight edge in this matchup.
In terms of betting, the game presents a compelling case for both sides, with the outcome likely to hinge on key player performances and the ability of each team’s defense to contain the other’s offense. Exclusive premium matchup insights suggest that the Baylor Bears might just edge out the Houston Cougars in a high-scoring affair.
Free Pick and Prediction: Baylor Bears 78, Houston Cougars 74.