A low-scoring game should be expected when the No. 16 Baylor Bears (5-1) and the No. 8 Wichita State Shockers (5-1) battle at Ferrell Center. The games Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 137.5 points with Wichita State opening as a 1-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2, 2017, and it can be seen on ESPNU.
Wichita State Shockers vs. Baylor Bears ATS Preview
In the Shockers last game, they easily got past the Savannah State Tigers, 112-66. Samajae Haynes-Jones was the top scorer from either team with 31 points on 11-for-17 shooting. Wichita State played a nearly flawless game. They had an extraordinary offensive rebounding percentage of 40.0 (above their season average of 38.0) and a free throw rate of 0.224 (below their season average of 0.251). For those same stats, Savannah State was 15.9 and 0.113, respectively.
The Bears are trying to rebound after their 76-63 loss to the No. 21 Xavier Musketeers in their last matchup. With 11 points and seven rebounds, Mark Vital had a good performance for Baylor. Xavier did a fantastic job of converting from the charity stripe (18-23; 78.3 percent). Baylor, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (15.2 vs. 15.4).
This battle pits one of the NCAA’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Baylor ranks 41st in offensive efficiency and Wichita State is third in defensive efficiency since last season. Moreover, the Shockers rank 45th in turnover percentage (16.7 percent), while the Bears rank 286th in opponents turnover percentage (17.4 percent).
Of Wichita State’s 4 games that accepted bets, two have finished over the projected point total, while 2 of Baylor’s 3 games have finished under the O/U total. Both teams have very similar records straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS). The Shockers are 5-1 SU and 2-2 ATS, while the Bears are 5-1 SU and 2-1 ATS.
Wichita State Shockers vs. Baylor Bears ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Wichita State, ATS Winner – Wichita State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Bears average 4.7 blocks per game, which ranks 46th in the NCAA. The Shockers rank 142nd in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
- Wichita State ranks second in rebounds per game (41.9) while Baylor ranks 65th (38.1).
- Wichita State ranks eighth in assists allowed per game (10.2) while Baylor ranks 172nd (13.3).
- The Shockers rank 145th in three pointers attempted per game (21.7) while the Bears rank 284th (18.2).
- Wichita State ranks 144th in steals per game (6.3) while Baylor ranks 258th (5.0).
