Alabama vs Baylor 1/29/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The 4^th ranked Baylor Bears will travel to Coleman Coliseum to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The 4^th ranked Baylor Bears won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 18-2 on the season after defeating the Kansas State Wildcats, 74-49, this past Tuesday. Baylor dominated Kansas State on both ends of the court and had no trouble cruising for the victory in the 2^nd half after taking a 39-21 lead into halftime. Baylor shot 56.9% from the field & 33.3% from beyond the arc while holding Kansas State to just 31.7% from the field & 21.7% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bears was Kendall Brown who had a double-double with 10 points, 11 rebounds, & 2 assits.

On the season, Baylor is averaging 78.7 ppg on 48.1% shooting from the field. The Bears are averaging 8.8 three-pointers per game on 36.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Baylor has been led by LJ Cryer (13.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.7 apg), James Akinjo (13.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.6 apg, 2.2 spg), Adam Flagler (12.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.2 spg), & Kendall Brown (10.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.1 spg).

Defensviely, Baylor is holding their opponents to an average of 59.3 ppg on 41.1% shooting from the field. The Bears have a rebound margin of 7.8 and a turnover margin of 4.2.

The Alabama Crimson Tide had their 2-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 13-7 on the season after being defeated by the Georgia Bulldogs, 82-76, this past Tuesday. Alabama led by a 42-36 margin at halftime, however, the Crimson Tide defense struggled in the 2^nd half and Georgia was able to pull away for the upset victory after taking a 72-68 lead with 2:22 left in regulation. Alabama shot 43.5% from the field & 26.5% from beyond the arc while allowing Georgia to shoot 44.6% from the field & 34.8% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Crimson Tide was Jaden Shackelford who had 20 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, & 1 block.

On the season, Alabama is averaging 81.1 ppg on 44.7% shooting from the field. The Crimson Tide are averaging 9.2 three-pointers per game on 30.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Alabama has been led by Jaden Shackelford (17.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.4 apg), Jahvon Quinerly (14.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.3 apg), Keon Ellis (12.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 2.1 spg), & JD Davison (8.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.1 apg).

Defensively, Alabama is allowing their opponents to average 74.7 ppg on 43.2% shooting from the field. The Crimson Tide have a rebound margin of 4.3 and a turnover margin of 0.5.

The Bears are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games & 7-2 ATS in their last 9 Saturday games. The Crimson Tide are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games & 0-6 ATS in their last 6 home games.

Baylor has been incredible on both ends of the court this season as the Bears come into this game ranked 36^th in scoring offense, 22^nd in FG%, 11^th in scoring defense, & 18^th in rebound margin. Alabama has been led by their offense which ranks 13^th in scoring offense & 43^rd in three-pointers made per game, however, the Crimson Tide defense has really struggled and currently ranks just 307^th in scoring defense & 203^rd in defensive FG%.

Alabama certainly has some talent and certainly will come out motivated to right the ship against one of the best teams in the country in Baylor, however, despite being at home, I can’t trust a team that is coming off an embarrassing loss against Georgia. Baylor should have plenty of success offensively against an Alabama defense that has had trouble slowing anyone down this season and as I think the Bears defense gives Alabama trouble, I think the Bears win this one by 8-10 points and cover this small road spread. Good Luck!