The Baylor Bears might have been able to put together an undefeated season. We'll never know; they had to sit out three weeks in February because of a COVID-19 scare. Since then, they haven't quite been able to get their sizzling three-point game going on a consistent basis. And that may cause an issue for them as they face a Houston Cougars team that is conditioned to limit the options of their opponents.

It is all-Texas, and it's an intriguing matchup that is set to get underway at 5:14 PM ET at Lucas Oil Stadium. If you are a BetAnySports customer, you can get reduced juice on this game, and there are plenty of thrills to be had when you make real-time wagers with Sports Betting Prime.

NCAA Tournament - Final Four @ Indianapolis
HOUSTON COUGARS vs.BAYLOR BEARS, 5:14 PM ET

Final Four Basketball Odds: Baylor -5 / Total 134.5

It is apparent that Baylor wants to do a few things here - shoot three-pointers with success, force turnovers and hit the offensive boards with some resolve. Some of that might work for them.

Houston has done a pretty good job of protecting the basketball this season, and in this tournament they have committed only 37 turnovers. But we're not sure they're going to stay completely clean against defensive player of the year Davion Mitchell and Baylor, which has been a lot of trouble for Wisconsin and Villanova, the #1 and #3 best in the nation in Offensive Turnover Percentage, getting them to turn it over 30 times between them.

Yes, that will create more possessions for the Cougars. But Houston might be able to counter that effectively by getting second chances on the offensive end. They are second in the country in Offensive Rebounding Percentage (19 offensive rebounds vs.Oregon State!), while Baylor does not number defensive rebounding among its strengths. The aggressiveness of the Cougars will produce some points, and keep in mind that they can bring soms big people like Fabian White, Brison Grisham and Reggie Chaney off the bench.

That's the kind of thing that might make Houston a little tougher on its own defensive glass, which is a good thing since Baylor is seventh nationally in offensive rebounding.

If you've watched Baylor, you have heard that they are #1 in the nation in three-point percentage (41.1%) but that doesn't mean they can't go through mini-slumps. They are below 36% in this tournament and actually shot 3-of-19 against Villanova. They have been hot-and-cold from the arc since they returned from their February "break."

And if you are hot-and-cold, Houston is the kind of team that might make you lean "cold," because they have only surrendered 29.2% triples. The Cougars have a great defensive scheme under Kelvin Sampson (in first Final Four appearance since 2002), as they are also one of the best in the nation defending two-pointers (allowing 42.9%). In the tournament, Houston has given up 55.7 points per game, so they know a thing or two about controlling the pace as well.

If there is a weakness for Houston defensively, it's that they foul a little too much, but Baylor does so little business challenging in the paint that only 14.2% of their points come at the free throw line (that is 325th in the country).

Maybe this comes down to the best player Houston has - Quentin Grimes - who has been on fire in the last twelve games, making about half his triples. The over edge, however, comes with the Cougars' defense, and that's what makes us take the points.

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