Baylor Bears vs Utah Utes Picks and Predictions December 31st 2024

Utah Makes Big 12 Debut at No. 25 Baylor

Utah is set to make its historic entrance into Big 12 Conference play on Tuesday, facing a tough road challenge against No. 25 Baylor in Waco, Texas. While the matchup marks Utah’s first Big 12 contest, the Utes will bring familiar faces with ties to their opponent.

Familiar Faces in New Roles

Utah’s lineup features two former Baylor athletes, point guard Miro Little and dual-sport standout Caleb Lohner. Little, who averaged 1.7 points and 0.7 assists in limited action for the Bears during the 2023-24 season, now provides Utah with steady ball distribution, averaging 7.8 points and 5.2 assists.

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Lohner, a versatile athlete who also played football for Utah this fall, spent two seasons with Baylor, appearing in 69 games. His familiarity with Baylor’s system could add an intriguing subplot to this matchup.

Balanced Scoring Leads Utah

The Utes (8-3) boast a well-rounded offense with four players averaging double figures. Twin brothers Gabe Madsen (18.8 points per game) and Mason Madsen (12.5) lead the charge, supported by Lawson Lovering (13.7) and Ezra Ausar (10.6). Despite losing their last outing, a high-scoring 95-88 affair against Iowa on Dec. 21, Utah has shown resilience and growth.

“We’ve been through a lot with some injuries early, so we’ve had to keep redefining ourselves,” Utah coach Craig Smith said. “In the three losses, we were probably six possessions away from being 11-0. We’ve got to find a way to win those games.”

Baylor Enters Big 12 Play on a High Note

Baylor (8-3) comes into conference play with momentum from a three-game winning streak, punctuated by a dominant 107-53 victory over Arlington Baptist. Although the Bears stumbled against elite competition, including losses to No. 6 Gonzaga, No. 11 Tennessee, and No. 25 UConn, they showcased their potential in a thrilling double-overtime win over No. 22 St. John’s.

Miami transfer Norchad Omier has been a force, averaging 16.2 points and 10.6 rebounds. Baylor’s offense, which averages an impressive 86.9 points per game, also benefits from the contributions of Robert Wright III (12.9), Jeremy Roach (12.2), Jayden Nunn (12.1), and VJ Edgecombe (11.7).

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What’s at Stake

For Utah, this game is an opportunity to make a statement in its new conference while leaning on its blend of experience and youthful energy. For Baylor, the game is a chance to build on its winning streak and continue its strong offensive output as the grind of Big 12 play begins.

“From a coaching standpoint, I think this game accomplished everything that we wanted it to,” Baylor coach Scott Drew said after the win over Arlington Baptist. “We were able to try a bunch of different lineups, work on a couple things, and get ready for conference.”

With Utah’s balanced scoring and Baylor’s high-octane offense, this matchup promises an exciting start to the Big 12 campaign for both programs.