Baylor vs Incarnate Word College Basketball Picks, Odds, Predictions 11/12/2021

The Incarnate Word Cardinals and the Baylor Bears meet Friday in college basketball action from Ferrell Center. Incarnate Word has played one game so far this year, losing by 18 to Texas State. As for Baylor, this will be their first game of the season. The Bears posted six NCAA Tournament wins on the way to a national title last year. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Incarnate Word managed an 8-14 overall record last year with a 5-9 mark in the Southland Conference. The Cardinals finished around the middle of the standings, and closed out the regular season on a five-game losing streak before falling to Houston Baptist in the conference tourney. 

Incarnate Word had some trouble with Texas State in their opener this week, falling behind 43-24 at halftime during a 75-57 loss. Josh Morgan led the team in scoring with 16 points and four rebounds. Johnny Hughes added 12 points, five boards and two assists. 

Over on the Baylor side, they’re ready for another run at a national title. The Bears went 28-2 overall last year with a 13-1 mark in the Big 12 for a No. 1 spot. Baylor beat Kansas State in the conference tournament before an upset loss to OK State in the second game. 

Baylor caught fire in the NCAA Tournament and didn’t look back until they were hoisting the trophy. On the way to the championship, the Bears took out Hartford, Wisconsin, Villanova, Arkansas, Houston and Gonzaga. 

Baylor is 4-0 ATS in their last four as a favorite and 5-0 ATS in their last five overall. The Bears are 4-0 ATS in the last four at home. 

Meanwhile, the Cardinals are 0-4 ATS in the last four on Friday and 0-6-1 ATS in the last seven overall. Incarnate Word is 0-5-1 ATS in their last six as an underdog. 

PICK: I’m probably going to stick with Baylor here, but staying away until we see the Bears on the court. Baylor lost four guards from last year’s title team, so they’re going to be relying on a highly-touted recruiting class and some promising transfers. It may be rocky in the beginning but the Bears have a great outlook across the board. 

As for Incarnate Word, it’s going to be tough for them to keep up in this one. The Cardinals posted just 17 team rebounds and six assists in their opener versus Texas State, falling behind quickly. I don’t see the team hanging around for long.