Baylor Bears at Texas Longhorns, Frank Erwin Events Center, Austin TX
Saturday, February 12, 2011, 4:00 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Texas -11 1/2
Current Line: Texas -11
Opening Total: 130 1/2
Current Total: 131
Money Line: Texas -800 / Baylor +600
After a rough patch in the middle of the season, Baylor seems to be playing better basketball. They have won 3 out of their last 4 games and have climbed up to third in the Big 12 standings behind Texas and Kansas. Baylor is 16-7 overall and 6-4 in conference. The Bears travel to Texas to take on the Longhorns who are 21-3 overall and 9-0 in the Big 12. Texas is ranked #3 in both polls. Baylor has losses to Gonzaga, Washington St, Florida St, Iowa St, Kansas, Kansas St, and Oklahoma. Baylor has won 2 in a row including a 74-70 home victory over Nebraska Wednesday. They have additional wins over Arizona St, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Colorado, and Texas A&M. Texas has losses to Pitt, USC, and UConn. Texas has wins over Illinois, North Carolina, Michigan St, Arkansas, Texas Tech twice, Oklahoma twice, Texas A&M twice, Kansas, Oklahoma St, and Missouri. They have won 9 straight games including a 68-52 win at Oklahoma Wednesday night.
Texas leads the series against Baylor 155-79, including an 84-79 record in Austin. Texas is 49-11 in the series since 1982, but Baylor has won 4 straight. They are 4-2 straight up and ATS in the last 6 games int eh series and 5 out those 6 have gone over the total. Texas is 15-4 ATS in all games this season, including, 8-1 in conference, and 11-2 against teams with winning records.
Baylor has no significant injuries right now. Guard LaceDarius Dunn leads the team in scoring with 20.7 points a game. He also averages 4.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.6 steals a game. Dunn is shooting 41.8% from 3-point range. Freshman forward/center Perry Jones III is averaging 14.6 points, 7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists a game. Forward Quincy Acy leads the team in rebounds with 7.5 a game and blocks with 1.3 a game. He also averages 13.1 points. Guard A.J. Walton leads the team in assists with 5.1 a game and steals with 2.2 a game. Baylor is outscoring opponents 72-63 on the season. Baylor is shooting 48% from the field and 37.5% from 3-point range. Baylor opponents are shooting 41.2% from the field. The Bears shoot 69.7% from the free throw line. Baylor averages 36.1 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +6.6. Baylor averages 12.6 assists and 16 turnovers a game. Baylor forces 15.3 turnovers a game on defense. The Bears average 7.3 steals and 4.2 blocks a game.
Texas has no significant injuries right now. Texas is led by guard/forward Jordan Hamilton. Hamilton is averaging 19 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists a game. He is the leading scorer and rebounder for the Longhorns and also is shooting 42.4% from 3-point range. Forward Tristan Thompson averages 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1 steal, and 2.3 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounding and blocks. Forward Gary Johnson averages 11.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists a game. Guard Cory Joseph averages 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2.8 assists to lead the team, and 1.1 steals a game to lead the team. Texas is outscoring opponents 76-60 on the season. They are shooting 46.8% from the field and 38.2% from 3-point range. Longhorn opponents are shooting 36.3% from the field. Texas makes only 65% of their free throws. Texas averages 41 rebounds and has a rebounding margin of +7.2. The Longhorns average 14.1 assists and 12.6 turnovers a game. Texas forces 13.5 turnovers a game on defense. Texas averages 5 blocks and 6.1 steals a game.
This is a crucial game for both teams. Texas is trying to bolster its resume for a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament next month. Baylor is just trying to get into the the tournament. Baylor finally seems to be playing up to the high expectations of a team that went to the elite 8 last season and returned most of their starters. We will find out how good Baylor is in this match-up. Texas is clearly the superior team especially at home, but Baylor is still dangerous.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot in 2011. Don’t miss out on any more winners this season.
