Big 12 Conference Odds Report: No. 1 Baylor Continues to Chase Conference Perfection
By: Brent Booher
You have to go all the way back to November 8, 2019 to find the last time the 2019-20 Baylor Bears lost a game. 
In a tumultuous season of college basketball where ranked teams have dropped like flies with each passing week, Baylor (20-1, 9-0 Big 12) has remained a constant – winning 18 straight games entering this week, before improving that to 19-straight with a 73-67 victory over Kansas State on Monday (Feb. 3).
Paced by a relentless defensive attack, Baylor’s No. 1 ranking has been well deserved as the Bears resume includes wins over Villanova, Arizona, Butler, and their most impressive victory to date – a 67-55 road win against No. 3 Kansas.
It should be no surprise that Baylor is listed as the short favorite to win with Big 12 Conference odds of +150 and +1100 odds to win the NCAA Tournament.
The rest of Baylor’s schedule looks favorable for a push to finish the conference season undefeated with a road date against West Virginia to close the season looking like the one game they may be an underdog in.
At the least, Baylor should be in deep contention to get the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and make a long run in the dance.
The Bears will close out their week with a home date against Oklahoma State on Saturday (Feb. 8).
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Rock Chalk Jayhawk Remains Dangerous Even After Suspensions
Bill Self having a National Championship contending basketball team is not surprising, but No. 3 Kansas continuing their strong play following a brawl that left two players suspended.
However, thanks to the sensational play by sophomore point guard Devon Dotson (18 ppg, 4 apg), the Jayhawks (19-3, 8-1 Big 12) continue to be one of the best teams in college basketball, and Baylor’s biggest threat to the conference championship.
Entering this week, Kansas’ Big 12 Odds are listed at +225 to catch Baylor at the top and claim yet another conference championship. In terms of the National Championship, Kansas is considered a slightly shorter favorite than Baylor at +1000.
In other words, as good as Baylor has been, Kansas just will not go away and relinquish ownership of the conference just yet.
Following their surprising 67-55 loss to Baylor on their home floor, the Jayhawks have won seven straight games including a 69-58 win over Texas to start this week.
Saturday, the Jayhawks look to win their 8th straight game when they travel to Fort Worth to face TCU.
Do the Country Roads Have a Detour to the Top of the Conference?
No. 13 West Virginia (17-4, 5-3 Big 12) has quietly had a very good season to date, but a road sweep at the hands of Kansas and Kansas State is the biggest reason why the Mountaineers are 3.5 games behind Baylor for first place in the conference.
Still, ‘Press Virginia’ has an opportunity to close that gap in a big way with two dates against the Bears still on their schedule and an opportunity to enact revenge on their home floor against the aforementioned Jayhawks coming soon.
Because of their schedule, West Virginia offers intriguing value at +400 to rally and win the Big 12 for the first time in school history.
This week, the Mountaineers host Iowa State (Feb. 5) before going to Norman for a road tilt with Oklahoma (Feb. 8).
If they’re able to sweep those games, the following week they get Kansas and Baylor and the conference title race could get very interesting.
Handicapping the Rest of the Big 12 Odds
Like the ACC, the Big 12 faces the danger of only getting three teams into the dance.
After the top three of Baylor, Kansas and West Virginia there is a sizable drop off in the quality of teams in the Big 12 this season.
Entering the week Oklahoma, Texas, TCU and last years national runner-up Texas Tech are all hovering around .500 in conference with many poor losses on each teams respective resumes.
Iowa State, Kansas State, and Oklahoma State are all in the middle of rebuilding seasons and find themselves at the bottom of the conference with no threat to win the conference.
In terms of conference futures betting odds, outside of the top three teams in the Big 12, there is really not much value to speak of from any other team in this conference.
