March Madness Round 1: Colgate vs Baylor NCAAB Odds & Result

Colgate vs Baylor Final Score

Colgate vs Baylor Preview

The Big 12 was widely considered one of the top conferences in college basketball in 2023-24, and the Colgate vs Baylor NCAAB odds for the teams’ first-round NCAAB matchup in the West Region on Friday reflect that.

Despite the gaudy record of the Patriot League champion Raiders, the Bears are heavy favorites, by as many as 14 points on some sportsbooks.

Baylor doesn’t have the usual status of a favorite to win March Madness, but it’s still pretty good, finishing third in the Big 12 regular-season NCAAB standings.

Coach Scott Drew’s squad continues to be a top defensive team that can overwhelm an opponent with its 3-point shooting. The over/under for this contest has been set at 139 points, thanks to that defense.

Past Success Dictates Bears As Heavy Favorites

Baylor is just a couple of years removed from its run to the 2021 national title, though this certainly isn’t the same NCAAB team as that season.

The Baylor Bears haven’t reached the second weekend of the tournament in the last two seasons, but they have taken care of business when facing a double-digit seed in the first round, winning by 36 and 18 points in their last two opening contests.

Meanwhile, Colgate is making its seventh NCAA Tournament appearance, and fourth straight, but has yet to come away with even one victory.

Looking at the Raiders’ games against ranked opponents this college basketball season, that same lack of success is apparent, with losses by 27 to Arizona and 17 to Illinois. It makes a lot of sense that the Colgate vs Baylor NCAAB odds heavily favor the Bears.

Baylor Looking To Get Out And Run

The Bears like to force turnovers that lead to easy, fast break points. Their pressure on the ball is difficult for many teams to handle, as shown by the 12.0 turnovers forced per game by Baylor. Freshman guard Ja’Kobe Walter has been outstanding in his first collegiate season, averaging 14.2 points.

He struggled in the Bears’ semifinal loss in the Big 12 Tournament against Iowa State, scoring just three points. He needs to be at his best if the Bears are going to exceed NCAA basketball predictions in this tournament.

Baylor shoots 38.8% from 3-point range as a team, so the Raiders must extend their defense and find shooters in a hurry, or they’ll get buried in this one.

Colgate Must Handle The Pressure

Sophomore guard Braeden Smith has been one of the driving forces for Colgate this season and will be a key reason if the Colgate vs Baylor NCAAB odds for this game end up being wrong. Smith leads the team with 12.5 points, 5.8 assists and 1.4 steals per game while also grabbing 5.5 rebounds per contest at just 6-0.

Colgate can’t afford for Friday’s game to be one of those super-high men’s college basketball scores that looks like an NBA contest. The Raiders have to slow the game down if they have a chance to compete with the Bears.

Bears Turn It Up And Roll To Win

It’s likely just a matter of time before Baylor takes over this first-round contest on Friday. The Colgate vs Baylor NCAAB odds were set with that in mind, as the Bears can be devastating when they get on a roll.

The Colgate Raiders may keep things close for a little while, but count on the Bears to take over and cruise to a convincing victory, covering the 14-point spread and pushing the game to the over.

For NCAAB betting news, college basketball odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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