Baylor Bears vs Cincinnati Bearcats Picks and Predictions January 7th 2025

Short-Handed Baylor Faces Cincinnati’s Formidable Defense in Big 12 Clash

Baylor and Cincinnati, both seeking to rebound after recent setbacks, will meet in Waco, Texas, on Tuesday night in a crucial Big 12 matchup.

Baylor’s Challenges with Injuries and Offense

The Bears (9-4, 1-1 Big 12) are navigating a rough patch, including a lopsided 74-55 loss to No. 3 Iowa State on Saturday that knocked them out of the AP Top 25. Injuries have exacerbated Baylor’s struggles, with Langston Love and Jalen Celestine sidelined by ankle injuries, leaving the team with just a seven-man rotation against Iowa State. Both players remain day-to-day, according to the team.

“I wish we would have been at full strength because I would have liked to have seen what we needed to grow from there,” said Baylor coach Scott Drew. “But I’m proud of our guys to shoot that way and not lose by 40, to be real.”

Baylor’s offense hit season lows against Iowa State, managing just 55 points on 29.7 percent shooting. Jeremy Roach led the Bears with 16 points, but leading scorer Norchad Omier (15.5 points per game) was limited to nine points on 3-of-11 shooting. Improving offensive efficiency will be crucial against a Cincinnati defense that ranks among the best in the Big 12.

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Cincinnati’s Defensive Identity

The Bearcats (10-3, 0-2 Big 12) also dropped from the AP Top 25 after two narrow conference losses, including a 72-67 defeat at Arizona. Despite the loss, Cincinnati showcased resilience by erasing a 19-point second-half deficit, thanks in large part to its defensive intensity.

“It starts on the defensive end,” forward Dillon Mitchell said. “Offensively, even if we’re not making shots, we eventually will. It just started with the defense. That’s something we’ve got to continue to lock in on.”

Cincinnati’s defense, allowing just 60.5 points per game, will aim to stymie Baylor’s offense. However, the Bearcats’ offensive execution has faltered recently, as they shot 12-of-23 from the free-throw line and 5-of-25 from beyond the arc in their loss to Arizona.

Players to Watch

• Baylor: Jeremy Roach has been a consistent scorer, and his leadership will be vital with injuries depleting the roster. Norchad Omier, despite an off night against Iowa State, remains a focal point for the Bears.
• Cincinnati: Simas Lukosius leads the Bearcats with 13.6 points per game but has struggled in recent outings. Dan Skillings Jr. has stepped up, scoring 18 points in each of the last two games and averaging 12.4 points per game.

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What’s at Stake

Both teams are looking to regain momentum in Big 12 play. Baylor hopes to bounce back and adapt despite its injury challenges, while Cincinnati seeks its first conference win and to capitalize on its defensive strengths.

The battle between Baylor’s offense and Cincinnati’s defense will likely determine the outcome, with both teams eager to avoid falling further behind in the ultra-competitive Big 12 race.