Central Arkansas (1-6) has played a difficult non-conference schedule but finally got a win on December 19 over Champion Christian College, rolling in a 92-28 laugher. Before that, their last game came on December 16, when they lost by 16 at Mississippi State. Next up is a trip to Waco to take on the second-ranked Baylor Bears, their first ranked opponent of the 2020-21 season. Baylor (6-0, 1-0 Big 12) had their Big 12 opener against Texas postponed due to COVID-19 concerns but rolled over Kansas State in their first Big 12 action, winning by 31 points on December 19. Then they beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff by 57 two days later.
Let’s take a look at what should be an easy win for Baylor as you consider your college basketball betting for the week.
NCAAB: Central Arkansas at #2 Baylor (December 29)
When: Tuesday, December 29, 2020, 3:00 pm ET
Where: Ferrell Center, Waco, TX
TV: ESPN+
Radio: No National Radio
Live Stream: ESPN+
Why should you bet on Central Arkansas?
Central Arkansas is accustomed to traveling, as they won’t play a scheduled home game until January 6. In their loss at Mississippi State, they were determined in the first half, going into the locker room down by just four points. Eddy Kayouloud went 8 for 11 on the day, putting up 20 points. Rylan Bergersen added 15 points, and Deandre Jones scored 10. However, after halftime, Mississippi State went on an 8-2 run and started pulling away from that point.
Mississippi State had a 41-33 edge in rebounding (including a 13-11 advantage on the offensive glass). Neither team had major turnover problems, with each coughing up the ball 11 times. Central Arkansas shot just 39.3 percent from the floor on the day, nearly matching that by going 7 for 18 (38.9 percent) from behind the arc. Kayouloud and S.K. Shittu tied with six rebounds apiece to lead Central Arkansas against Mississippi State. If you like Central Arkansas here, you see them catching Baylor napping — although no one has caught Baylor napping yet this season.
Why should you put your money on Baylor?
In their romp over Kansas State, Baylor got 23 points and 10 boards from MaCio Teague and 20 points from Davion Mitchell. Jared Butler put up his first career double-double, posting 14 points and 13 assists, as the team came back from a week off due to COVID-19 protocols. The virus has played havoc with Baylor, forcing the cancellation of several of their early-season non-conference matchups, with coach Scott Drew missing time after coming down with the disease.
Baylor was able to turn 14 Kansas State turnovers into 21 points, and they also controlled the glass, outrebounding K-State by 16. Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua added 13 points, all either coming via alley-oop dunks or free throws. Baylor has put together a high-octane offense and a swarming backcourt defense, and that should bury Central Arkansas well before halftime.
Final Score and Prediction
It’s brave of Central Arkansas to agree to go to Baylor and take on the #2 team in the nation, but this game should not be competitive for long. I predict a final score of Baylor 102, Central Arkansas 58.
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