Oklahoma vs. Baylor College Basketball prediction, preview (1:30PM ET on Saturday in Las Vegas, NV)
Oklahoma and Baylor both advanced in the Crown on Wednesday night in Las Vegas, earning the right to play on Saturday afternoon in the semi-finals. The winner will go on to play a quick turnaround in Sunday afternoon’s Championship Game against the winner of West Virginia and Creighton. I’m holding a ticket on Oklahoma to win the Crown, so I’ll have rooting interest on a side in the game already. But there’s a play I like much more than a side in this one if we look to the total.
This one has all the makings for points to go on the board. Despite missing the NCAA Tournament, these are two elite offenses. Oklahoma ranks 19th in offensive efficiency, while Baylor ranks 26th. So why did they miss the tournament? Well, they stink at defense, of course. The Sooners are 102nd in defensive efficiency, while the Bears are slightly worth at 109th.
KenPom projects the total in this one at 161, which still feels a little light to me. I can see both teams cracking the 80’s on the scoreboard in this one, which would lead to an easy over. Totals have been cashing to the over in the Crown in the two years we’ve has the tournament, and this matchup fits the mold for a ton of offense.
I expect this one to close much closer to 160 and will play the over on the opening total.
