The Baylor Bears and the Kansas State Wildcats continue Big 12 Conference men’s basketball action on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025, in Kansas City for the Big 12 Tournament.
Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. central on ESPN and ESPN+. Baylor (18-13, 10-10 in Big 12) is unranked, while Kansas State (17-16) is also unranked.
Wednesday’s game between Baylor and Kansas State tips off the evening session of second-round games in the Big 12 Tournament, where the winner will continue to play again on Thursday in the quarterfinals. The loser heads home.
Kansas State enters the game coming off their first-round victory over Arizona State, 71-66. Baylor is playing its first game of the tournament after a first-round bye.
Here is a preview of the game.
How to Watch Baylor vs. Kansas State
Date: Wednesday, Mar. 12, 2025
Time: 6 p.m. CT
TV Channel: ESPN
Site: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Baylor vs. Kansas State Betting Odds, Lines
Opening Line: Baylor (-6.5)
Current Line: Baylor (-6.5)
Over/Under: 137.5
Baylor vs. Kansas State Predictions
Baylor, as the No. 7 seed, got an extra day of rest and the Bears could use it. They’ve been playing short-handed and small since the injury to Josh Ojianwuna in February.
The season-ending injury forced Norchad Omier (15.6 points, 10.7 rebounds per game) into a small five role and coach Scott Drew surrounded him with guards, including freshman VJ Edgecombe (15.0 points, 5.4 rebounds).
Because of that, the Bears generally play seven and have been on a roller-coaster throughout the month. When they play well, they’re getting great outside shooting from Robert Wright III, Langston Love and Jayden Nunn. They’re re-embracing their 1-3-1 halfcourt zone roots out of necessity. It helps keep the legs fresh.
Kansas State won’t finish the tournament with a losing record after its win over Arizona State. Coleman Hawkins had his best game of the season as he fired off 26 points for the Wildcats. Those are the types of numbers Kansas State was hoping for all season. Three other Wildcats were in double figures, but they got little help from their bench.
The only meeting between these two teams was in January, as Baylor won, 70-62. Back then, the Bears were practically at full strength. The Bears and Wildcats haven’t face each other since Ojianwuna’s injury. That gives the Wildcats an opening, as they really don’t have a true big, either.
When it’s Scott Drew vs. Jerome Tang, you never know.
Baylor 79, Kansas State 75
ESPN Matchup Predictor: Baylor (76.9% Chance to Win)
Odds Shark: Kansas State 73.4, Baylor 72.6
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
