Now, Baylor has suffered the indignity of being a team on the bubble, which was unfathomable not that long ago. Although a potential tournament team, Baylor is not considered a serious NCAA Tournament Betting threat by the more accomplished teams of the current season. The Baylor Bears were slapped down toward the middle of the Big 12. Baylor is no longer an elite national championship program. Scott Drew remains one of the most respected coaches in college basketball. Since their 2021 national championship, the Bears have been eliminated in the second round of the last three NCAA Tournaments.
2025 NCAA Tournament First Round Friday Baylor Bears vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
| Date and Time: | Friday, March 21, 2025, 12:15 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC |
| TV Coverage: | CBS |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor | +1 -104 | 144½ -110 | -103 |  |
| Mississippi St | -1 -116 | 144½ -110 | -117 | |
| ||||
Baylor Bears Team Overview
Late on, Baylor has failed to cover eight of its previous ten games. Baylor has gone under the total in five of its last six outings. First among Baylor scorers is Norchad Omier with 15.9 points per game.
Overall, the Baylor Bears are 19-4 straight up, 9-18-3 against the spread, and 16-14 over/under the total. Baylor’s national metrics rank it 102nd for scoring offense, 177th for field goal percentage, 96th for 3-point field goal percentage, 103rd for free throw percentage, and 133rd for offensive rebounding. Defensively, Baylor is 99th for scoring defense, 175th for field goal percentage permitted, 302nd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 102nd for defensive rebounding.
What Scott Drew has done for Baylor over the last two decades cannot be overstated, Specifically inheriting a broken and scandal-ridden program and turning it into a national contender. The Bears cut down the nets as winners of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Also, they have finished Top 4 in the Big 12 in each of the last six seasons, showing no signs of slowing down.
Unfortunately for Baylor, this team has not gotten out of the opening round of the NCAA Tournament since that title run. Three straight losses in the Round of 32 is somewhat disappointing. Especially with the talent assembled in Waco in recent years. Drew has regularly brought talent to town through recruiting and the Transfer Portal. Correlate that he is bolstering and sometimes completely remaking rotations for winning teams.
JT Toppin hit for 26 points and got 10 rebounds as No. 9 Texas Tech did just enough to hold on for a 76-74 win over Baylor. Specifically, that was a quarterfinal game of the Big 12 Conference tournament in Kansas City, Mo.
Mississippi State Bulldogs Team Overview
Late on, Mississippi State has covered three of its previous five games. In one of its last seven outings, Miss State has gone under the sports betting total. First among Bulldog scorers is Josh Hubbard, with 18.9 points per game.
Overall, the Mississippi State Bulldogs are 19-14 straight up, 9-18-3 against the spread, and 16-14 over/under the total. Mississippi State has national metrics of 50th for scoring offense, 146th for field goal percentage, 304th for 3-point field goal percentage, 260th for free throw percentage, and 8th for offensive rebounding. While defensively, Miss State is 248th for scoring defense, 177th for field goal percentage permitted, 329th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 318th for defensive rebounding.
Baylor vs. Mississippi State SBG Free Picks
On this occasion, Mississippi State offers more NCAA basketball Betting value. Baylor drowned gamblers in red ink this season. Also, the Bears remain too much of a casual sector brand.
Baylor vs. Mississippi State SBG Best Bet: Mississippi State Bulldogs.