
Mar 17, 2023; Denver, CO, USA; Baylor Bears guard Adam Flagler (10) reacts to a play through the second half in opposition to UC Santa Barbara Gauchos within the first spherical of the 2023 NCAA males’s basketball match at Ball Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Michael Ciaglo-USA TODAY Sports activities
- Baylor is a 1.5-point favourite over the Creighton within the NCAA Match on Sunday, March 19
- The winner of Creighton vs Baylor advances to the Candy 16
- Under, see the Creighton vs Baylor odds and picks for Sunday afternoon
The sixth-seeded Creighton Bluejays (22-12, 17-17 ATS) face the third-seeded Baylor Bears (23-10, 16-14-1 ATS) on Sunday, March 19, in Denver. A win grants entrance into the Candy 16.
Bookmakers opened a bit uncertain right here, setting the unfold round plus or minus 1 to 2 factors, relying on the positioning.
Creighton vs Baylor Odds
Crew | Unfold | Moneyline | Whole |
---|---|---|---|
Creighton | +1.5 (-115) | Even | O 146.5 (-110) |
Baylor | -1.5 (-105) | -120 | U 146.5 (-110) |
Creighton and Baylor are each succesful within the March Insanity bracket. The Bluejays (+3217) are across the center within the March Insanity odds, whereas the Baylor Bears stand at +1967.
Tip-off for this tilt is ready for 4:00 pm ET on Sunday March 19 at Ball Enviornment from Denver, Colorado. The sport can be on TNT. Baylor at present is a -125 favourite to advance.
Odds as of March 17 at FanDuel. Unlock a BetMGM Sportsbook promo or obtain one of many different March Insanity betting apps.
Creighton vs Baylor Betting Traits
Creighton is a kind of groups that performs nicely defensively however doesn’t trigger quite a bit in the way in which of turnovers. That enables some groups who make the most of guard play can thrive versus the Bluejays. Creighton got here in 4-4 over their closing eight video games, earlier than pulling away from NC State on Friday late. Additionally, they’re .500 ATS on the season. Against this, Baylor is 3-2 of their previous 5 ATS. Throw out the Iowa State video games they usually have coated seven out of the earlier 9 contests.
Oddly sufficient, Baylor had a tricky time with UCSB within the first half however Adam Flagler and the guards got here although through the second half. That push gave the Bears an 18-point triumph. It helped the Bears cowl because the Gauchos had no solutions for the third-seed within the South Area.
So, the overall of 146.5 factors, the over/below is ready fairly correct. However, this may occasionally transfer round a bit extra earlier than Sunday. Each groups can rating within the center to excessive 70’s however can go ice chilly in stretches. We noticed that with each groups within the first half on Friday. Creighton and Baylor are two of the highest 13 groups within the nation when it comes to Easy Ranking System. That is extra like a Candy 16 matchup at second look.
Each groups play shortly, however Creighton has the higher defensive rankings and metrics. The issue once more is that Baylor is inflicting extra turnovers recently. Nonetheless, their inside protection permits 53.3% taking pictures and the Bluejays can exploit that staying within the recreation simply.
Creighton Did What It Needed to on Friday
Creighton limped into the match after getting thumped by 22 by the hands of Xavier. This was after profitable three straight video games. All yr, the Bluejays have been constantly inconsistent. Now, this Greg McDermott crew has top-ten potential simply, however asking them to win six straight video games is quite a bit. This Bluejays squad received six straight to open the yr then misplaced six in a row.
Baylor Scheierman was taking pictures simply 2/10 in opposition to NC St going into the ultimate 3 minutes of the sport
Then Scheierman knocked down two of the largest pictures of the Creighton season
Creighton Bluejays survive and advance pic.twitter.com/V7rdV9a7lz
— Ryan Cassidy (@ryancassidycbb) March 18, 2023
Creighton was neck and neck with NC State for many of this recreation. It was within the closing couple of minutes the place the Bluejays lastly pulled away for a 72-63 victory. It was not fairly, however the Bluejays persevered and superior.
Baylor Poured It on within the Second Half
Keynote George is a protracted shot at +25000 within the Picket Award odds, however this Bears crew is aware of its guards are their bread and butter when occasions get powerful. Throughout the second half, the Bears outscored the Gauchos 39-20. Now, it was these guards who scored 33 of the 39 factors.
(3) Baylor will get it completed 🐻
The Bears open their NCAA Match run with a victory over (14) UCSB, 74-56 #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/TMWtYP9CwC
— NCAA March Insanity (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 17, 2023
Sure, guards are the important thing to advancing in March. Simply ask groups like Purdue what occurs when that doesn’t come to fruition. George, Adam Flagler, and LJ Cryer may be matchup nightmares for any crew. That’s very true of Creighton, who once more doesn’t create a number of turnovers.
Baylor’s guards should knock down pictures whereas their forwards clear up on the glass. It’s that easy. The Bears is not going to have it simple to comprise Baylor Scheierman and Ryan Kalkbrenner. Schierman was ice chilly however heated up within the closing couple of minutes. Can Baylor stop these mini Creighton runs from changing into greater ones?
Creighton vs Baylor Prediction
Baylor is lucky to attract a crew that may be a bit amiss defensively because the Bears are typically. Creighton has gotten it collectively in opposition to the unfold as they’ve coated 4 of their previous 5 video games.
Nonetheless, Baylor performed in a more durable convention and had the fifth hardest schedule within the nation. This can be a recreation the place that reality pays dividends. Creighton may discover this recreation to be a bear on Sunday.
Decide: Baylor -1.5 (-105)
March Insanity second-round predictions:
Chris Wassel
A journalist veteran for over 20 years, Chris has taught the gamut of fantasy hockey sports activities on-line from accidents to information to prospects, and extra. He has guess on a number of sports activities and written sports activities betting articles concerning the NBA, MLB, NCAA soccer, the NFL, and NHL for USA At present.