Baylor at Alabama: 2021-22 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

WACO, TX - JANUARY 15: Matthew Mayer #24 of the Baylor Bears reacts after scoring with a three-point shot against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second half at the Ferrell Center on January 15, 2022 in Waco, Texas. Oklahoma State won 61-54. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

Top-ranked Baylor takes on a very good offense Alabama team in the SEC/Big 12 challenge. Who has the edge in this matchup?

Location: Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

TV location: January 29,2022 on ESPN at 4:00

This Big 12/SEC Challenge matchup had a chance to be the most intriguing, as both Baylor and Alabama were ranked in the top 10 at some point in the season. But the Tide sliding as of late has taken the luster off of this a bit.

The Baylor Bears go into this match-up with a record of 17-2 on the season. Their two losses have come against Oklahoma State and Texas Tech. Their best win on the season has come against Villanova. Baylor is currently ranked 4th in the AP poll.

Offensively, The bears are led by L.J Cryer. Cryer is averaging 13 points per game on 47 percent shooting. Baylor is 20th in the country when it to points per game. The Bears average 78 points per game. Baylor is 10th when it comes to points allowed per game. The Bears allow an average of 53 points per game.

The Alabama Crimson Tide go into this match-up with a record of 13-7. Their seven losses have come against Mississippi State, Missouri, Iona, Davidson, Memphis, Auburn, and Georgia. Their best win of the season has come against Gonzaga.

Offensively, the Tide is led by Jaden Shackelford. Shackelford is averaging 17 points per game on 40 percent shooting. Alabama is averaging 81 points per game on the season. That is good for the 9th in the country. While the offense is there for the tide, the defense is a bit lackluster. Alabama allows 74 points per game. That is 286th in the country.

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While Alabama certainly has the offense to compete with any team in the country, Baylor will have too much firepower for Alabama to handle defensively. The Tide will be able to keep this a close game for most of it, but the Baylor defense will be able to get at least some stops against this Tide offense for the win.

Prediction: Baylor: 84 Alabama: 74

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