Washington vs. Baylor Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Betting Preview for Nov. 9

My Washington vs. Baylor prediction breaks down this Big Ten vs. Big 12 tilt in what will be the first true test for both NCAA Tournament hopefuls. The game tips off from Foster Pavilion in Waco, Texas, at 8:30 p.m. ET on Sunday night (ESPN), with Baylor the 6.5-point betting favorite.

I am backing the Huskies against the new-look Bears with my college basketball predictions while expecting one of its freshmen to keep scoring down low and avoid playing on the perimeter.

✅ Washington vs. Baylor prediction & expert picks

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📊 Washington vs. Baylor odds

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🏀 Washington vs. Baylor preview & score prediction

Washington is a team on the rise in its second season under head coach Danny Sprinkle. The fact that it has an extra game under its belt should pay huge dividends in helping it cover this big number.

Baylor has a completely different roster from last year

Baylor is in a rare position of having lost everyone from last year’s team to either graduation or the transfer portal. The Bears won their first game against UT Rio Grande Valley in large part because they attempted 21 more free throws and won the rebounding battle by 16. But their defense is also a work in progress after allowing the Vaqueros to shoot 40.7% from 3-point range.

Meanwhile, Washington earned its first win of 40-plus points in a season opener since 2007, as five Huskies scored in double figures. Washington also held Arkansas Pine-Bluff to 25.4% shooting, the 10th-lowest shooting performance for a team to that point in the season.

Washington has covered 61.1% of its games as a road underdog since 2023, and I am backing it on the point spread with three stars of confidence.

I am making my point spread wager at DraftKings, the only best sports betting site charging less than the standard -110 juice. Its -108 odds carry a 51.92% implied probability and would net $9.26 in profits on a winning $10 wager.

I offer four more of my favorite plays for Sunday with my college basketball best bets today.

Score prediction: Baylor 81, Washington 77

🆚 Washington vs. Baylor matchup to watch

Hannes Steinbach vs. Baylor

Baylor looks like it has a clear pecking order in terms of scoring after Cameron Carr scored 28 points in the season opener, tying Ja’Kobe Walter for most in school history in a debut for the team. But Washington looks like a much more balanced offense, with seven players scoring 10-plus points last game.

Freshman Hannes Steinbach was one of those in double figures, and he contributed 16 rebounds for a double-double. But he looks like a player that will make his mark in the paint, as he has only attempted one 3-pointer this season. 

The Bears rank in the top 50, with most opponent’s points coming via the 3-pointer (40.7%), but Steinbach is not likely to get enough 3-point volume to back this Over.

Best prop bet: Hannes Steinbach Under 0.5 3-pointers made (-105 via bet365)

📺 How to watch Washington vs. Baylor

• Date: Sunday, Nov. 9
• Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Foster Pavilion (Waco, Texas)
• TV: ESPN