The Phillips 66 Big 12 Semifinal showdown unfolds on Friday, March 15^th, at 9:30 PM ET, featuring Game 2 between the formidable 14^th-ranked Baylor Bears (23-9) and the resilient seventh-ranked Iowa State Cyclones (25-7). Catch the excitement at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri, where the Cyclones hold a slim advantage with a point spread of -1.5 (-110).

The Bears had a solid 68-56 outing over the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Quarterfinals, with RayJ Dennis providing 13 points to help them advance to the next round. While they did not shoot particularly well from the three point line (26.3 percent), they still shot better than the Bearcats and were able to make more plays when it mattered most.

In addition to Dennis, the scoring load rests on Ja’Kobe Walter with 14.7 points per game. If the two of them are clicking offensively, this should be a great game to watch them flow in.

The Bears are known for their offensive output this season, as they have averaged 81.5 points per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the field. They have a handful of scorers and can push the tempo of the game in their favor.

Defensively, they are not posting the best numbers. They allow opposing teams to average 71.5 points a game. They would rather outscore you then make pivotal stops on this end of the court.

The Cyclones are coming off a redemption battle against the Kansas State Wildcats in a 76-57 outcome, which put them back on track after losing to them in the previous game prior. Robert Jones was excellent from the field, making six out of eight baskets and leading with 18 points.

Keshon Gilbert will need to be dominant as the leading scorer of this team (13.5 PPG) if they want an opportunity to succeed. If he is unable to get it going early, he will need to rely on big plays from Jones and others.

The Cyclones’ offense is not far off from the Bears at 75.7 points per game and a 46.3 percent success rate from the field. The tempo will likely get pushed here, as both teams can score the ball well.

The biggest difference in this matchup is their ability to make stops on the defensive end. They are slowing teams down to 62.1 points per game.

MyBookie provides the odds for this contest, favoring the Iowa State Cyclones by 1.5 points. Market analysis suggests a 59.6 percent chance of victory for the Cyclones.

The Cyclones exhibit consistent excellence with their ability to consistently perform on both ends of the floor. This positions them as the optimal selection to secure victory and surpass the spread in this scenario.