The Baylor Bears and the Utah Utes tip off Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Tuesday, Dec. 31, in Waco, Texas.
Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. central on ESPN+. The Bears (8-3) are No. 25 in the AP Top 25 while Utah (8-3) is not ranked.
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Baylor just got back into the Top 25 schedule in which the Bears played, perhaps, the toughest non-conference schedule of any team in the Big 12. Utah is off to a solid start in its first season in the conference.
Check out the game if, for no other reason, than to check out the new camera angle at Foster Pavilion. The controversial moon camera angle is gone.
Here is a preview of Tuesday’s game.
How to Watch Baylor vs. Utah
Date: Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Time: 1 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN+
Sign up for ESPN+ now to stream live Baylor vs. Utah!
Site: Foster Pavilion, Waco, Texas
Baylor vs. Utah Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Baylor -10.5
Current Line: Baylor -12
Over/Under: 153.5 (opened at 152.5)
Baylor vs. Utah Predictions
Woof. That non-conference slate for Baylor was something. Gonzaga (loss), Arkansas (win), St. John’s (win), Tennessee (loss) and UConn (loss) likely has the Bears prepare for the 20-game gauntlet that will be Big 12 action.
Forward Norchad Omier (16.2 ppg, 10.6 rpg) has been a great fit for the Bears out of the transfer portal and Baylor is going lean hard on him the rest of the way. The Bears don’t have another consistent scorer inside, but Josh Ojianwuna (7.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg) is giving them nice numbers in the paint.
The guards drive the bus, as always, with Robert Wright III (12.9 ppg, 5.7 apg), Jeremy Roach (12.2 ppg, 4.4 apg) and Jayden Nunn (12.1 ppg) leading the way. Freshman VJ Edgeecombe (11.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.4 apg) has room to take his game to another level in conference action.
Keep an eye on Roach in pre-game he missed three weeks in concussion protocol and returned against Arlington Baptist. He should be available, but he’s playing on three days’ rest.
Utah’s non-conference schedule featured two high-major games and the Utes lost both to Mississippi State and Iowa. Utah also lost to Saint Mary’s, and there’s little shame in losing to the Gaels. But Utah is looking for that first big win entering Big 12 play.
Baylor’s defense better defend the 3-pointer. Utah shoots 38% and is led by Gabe Madsen (18.8 ppg), who is one of the best shooters in the conference. Mason Madsen (12.5 ppg) is firing nearly 46% from the arc this season. Forward Ezra Ausar (10.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg) helps the Utes extend defenses.
Getting center Lawson Lovering back has been a huge lift. He missed time with an injury and is playing his back into shape. But he’s averaging 13.7 points and 6.0 rebounds. His game against Iowa before the break was telling — 25 points and four rebounds. He’s ready to roll.
The game also reunites Baylor with former guard Miro Little, who is now Utah’s starting point guard. He’s averaging 7.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and a team-high 5.2 assists.
Baylor 73, Utah 67
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Baylor (80.8% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
