Baylor Faces Houston in Regular Season Finale Showdown

WACO, Texas — Baylor University (18-12, 10-9) is set to close out its regular season with a challenging matchup against the Big 12 Champion No. 3 Houston Cougars (26-4, 18-1) on Saturday, March 8, at 9 p.m. CST at the Foster Pavilion. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.

The Baylor Bears are looking to turn around their late-season performance following a tough stretch and maintain momentum heading into the postseason. Predictions from various analytics sites paint a competitive picture for the matchup, with KenPom forecasting a 69-64 victory for Houston, while Haslametrics predicts a 70-61 outcome in favor of the Cougars.

Baylor head coach Scott Drew is in his 21st season, sporting a 484-267 overall record, with 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and one national championship under his belt. Drew understands the importance of this game to build confidence as they head towards the tournament. “Every game matters, and this one is no exception. We need to be at our best,” Drew said.

Houston, coached by Kelvin Sampson, boasts an impressive 789-354 overall coaching record, including 290-83 during his tenure with the Cougars. He has led Houston to 17 NCAA Tournament appearances and multiple deep runs, including two Final Fours. Sampson emphasizes defense and efficiency, which could pose a challenge for the Bears.

Historically, the matchup has favored Houston, leading the series 8-1 against Baylor. This adds an additional layer of pressure on Drew’s squad as they aim to upset the heavily favored Cougars. “We want to show we can compete with the best,” Drew added.

Fans and analysts anticipate a tightly contested game, with Baylor needing a strong performance from their starting lineup to secure a victory. The last encounter between the two teams concluded in a 70-65 triumph for Houston. Baylor players have expressed the necessity to execute well and convert key plays to keep pace with a team as elite as the Cougars.

The game not only has implications for Baylor’s NCAA Tournament hopes but could also impact seeding for both teams heading into the conference tournament. Baylor aims to improve its postseason position after experiencing a rollercoaster season.