Fourteen-seed Colgate and 3-seed Baylor both head to Memphis to face each other on Friday afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The game is at 12:40 PM ET on truTV. Can Baylor cover the 14.5-point spread as neutral site favorites? Keep reading for our Colgate vs. Baylor prediction.
The Colgate Raiders are 25-9 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 17-15-1 ATS this season.
The Baylor Bears are 23-10 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 19-11-2 ATS this season.
Colgate vs. Baylor Matchup & Betting Odds
775 Colgate Raiders (+14.5) vs. 776 Baylor Bears (-14.5); o/u 138.5
12:40 p.m. ET, Friday, March 22, 2024
FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
TV: truTV
Colgate vs. Baylor Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 89% of public bettors are currently backing Baylor when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Colgate Raiders Game Notes
Raiders guard Brady Cummins was terrific in his team’s Patriot League Tournament championship win on Wednesday. In that contest, the 6’6” sophomore from York, Maine poured in 19 points and pulled down 4 rebounds to help his club secure a 74-55 win.
Colgate guard Braeden Smith was also good in his club’s victory on Wednesday. The 6-foot sophomore from Seattle registered 15 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal. Smith leads the Raiders in scoring with 12.5 points per game this season.
Baylor Bears Game Notes
Bears guard Langston Love will sit out on Friday. He’s been managing an ankle injury. Love is averaging 11.0 points per game in 24.8 minutes per contest this year.
Baylor forward Jalen Bridges recorded a double-double in his team’s 76-62 Big 12 Tournament loss to Iowa State last Friday. In that game, the 6’9” senior from Fairmont, West Virginia scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. It was his second double-double of the campaign. For the season, Jalen Bridges is third on the team in scoring with 11.9 points per contest in 2024.
Colgate vs. Baylor CBB Betting Trends
Colgate is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
The Raiders are 5-6-1 ATS in non-conference games this season.
Baylor is 3-2-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Baylor is 8-3-1 ATS in non-conference games this season.
Colgate vs. Baylor CBB Prediction:
Colgate doesn’t have the offensive firepower to hang with Baylor. Nationally, the Raiders are 153rd in offensive efficiency, 248th in points per game, 93rd in true shooting percentage, and 319th in free throw rate this season. By contrast, the Baylor Bears are 14th in offensive efficiency, 28th in points per game, 14th in true shooting percentage, and 21st in free throw rate nationally. Even without Langston Love in the lineup, Baylor has 5 players that average over 10 points per game. Colgate only has three players that average over 10 points per game, and 0 that average at least 13 points per contest. To cover a big number, the favorite needs to be able to score, and I believe that Baylor will be able to do plenty of that on Friday. I’m laying the points with the Bears in this one.