Confidential Tip-Off
*MISSOURI over Baylor (Day Game)...Big XII scouts tell us revitalized contender Mizzou (just 1 game back thru Jan. 27) out to settle a score
after squandering 13-point lead in 2nd H of 100-89 setback in Waco late LY. Frenetic-paced Baylor plays right into hands of explosive, unselfish, pressing Tigers (84 ppg; 19 apg, 11 spg), who’re primed to make it 15 straight wins in Columbia (avg. 25-pt. victory TY!). After all, 3-point lovin’ Bears (attempt 24 treys pg), who‘ve already endured two DD road losses in league play, afforded few open looks vs. Mizzou’s stifling perimeter D (league-best 29% from arc). And deep Tiger bench, featuring frosh gem G Denmon (12 ppg last 3), helps extend margin.
*MISSOURI 94 - Baylor 77 RATING - 10
*OREGON STATE over Oregon...Maybe OSU HC Craig Robinson doesn’t have to bother to ask brother-in-law Barack Obama about any federal bailout assistance for Beaver hoopsters, who completed first road sweep of Bay Area schools in 16 years last week. And there’s not much comparison in respective chemistries of these old rivals, especially with Oregon continuing to deteriorate. OSU’s sticky 1-3-1 zone well-designed to flummox undisciplined Duck gunners, while percolating soph G Haynes and versatile 6-11 frontliner Schaftenaar (who can float to perimeter) proving nice fits for Robinson’s Princeton-style attack.
*OREGON STATE 73 - Oregon 58 RATING - 11