The Arizona Wildcats and the Baylor Bears continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz.
Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. central on ESPN+. The Wildcats (10-5, 4-0 in Big 12) are not ranked in the AP Top 25 while Baylor (11-4, 3-1) just re-entered at No. 25.
Arizona is one of three teams that remain undefeated in Big 12 action, along with Houston and Iowa State. The Wildcats received 26 votes in the AP Top 25 this week and are coming off an 88-80 win over UCF on Saturday.
The Bears have rebalanced themselves after falling to Iowa State and have won two straight, though they needed overtime to escape Arizona State, 72-66, on Saturday.
The all-time series between the two is tied at 5-5, though Arizona has won the last two games. This is their first meeting as Big 12 members.
Here is a preview of Tuesday’s game.
How to Watch Arizona vs. Baylor
Date: Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Time: 10 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN
Site: McKale Memorial Center, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona vs. Baylor Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Baylor +4
Current Line: Baylor +5
Over/Under: 147.5
Arizona vs. Baylor Predictions
Arizona has won six straight games after a 4-5 start. So, what’s changed? I’m not sure anything has really changed. I just think that the Wildcats have figured out life without Oumar Ballo, who transferred to Indiana.
He averaged a double-double last season, and I think many of us underestimated how long it would take Arizona to figure things out. A difficult non-conference schedule didn’t help.
But, Tobe Awaka and Henri Veesaar have combined to give Arizona what it needs inside. Awaka is averaging 7.6 points and 7.1 rebounds, while Veesaar is averaging 7.4 points and 4.7 rebounds. Their contributions are vital after the injury to Motiejus Krivas.
The Wildcats are still a guard-driven team, led by Caleb Love (15.8 ppg, 3.0 apg). But the contributions inside are giving Arizona more than enough to work with.
Baylor was without Langston Love and Jalen Celestine for Saturday’s game against ASU and it showed. The Bears looked exhausted toward the end of that game, but somehow overtime rejuvenated them. It’s not clear if either will play but it should be monitored up until game time.
If they can’t play, forward Norchad Omier and guard VJ Edgecombe will have to carry them again. Omier is averaging 15.9 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game. Edgecombe is averaging 12.4 points, and his play is coming on as Big 12 play really gears up. Freshmen like him tend to really get going this time of year, now that they’ve experienced major college basketball.
Watch Josh Ojianwuna in this one. He had a huge game against Arizona State and he could be a real problem for the Wildcats’ interior game.
Arizona 83, Baylor 77
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Arizona (68.6% Chance of Winning)
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
