Baylor Bears vs Mississippi State Bulldogs Prediction, Odds and Picks for Today, 03/21/25

Day 2 of the NCAA Tournament tips off with a 12:15 pm ET battle between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Baylor Bears in Raleigh, North Carolina. It’s a showdown between a pair of Power 4 teams, with each having struggled down the stretch of the regular season. Mississippi State has lost 5 of its last 7 games and it went 8-10 in the SEC, but being 2 games under .500 in that loaded conference is nothing to be ashamed about. Baylor was seventh in the Big 12 at 10-10 and it has dropped 5 of its last 8 contests — also against stout competition. With the Bulldogs supremely battle tested coming out of the SEC, my Mississippi State vs Baylor pick is on them to cover a small -1 spread.

Since November, MSU’s worst losses are by 6 points to Oklahoma (a tournament team) and in overtime to Texas (was a tournament team before losing to Xavier on Wednesday). As good as Baylor freshman VJ Edgecombe is, Mississippi State guard Josh Hubbard (18.7 ppg) will likely be the best player on the floor in this one. Hubbard is only a sophomore, but he gained valuable experience last year by leading the Bulldogs to the SEC Tournament semifinals and a berth in the Big Dance. He knows what he’s doing in March. A matchup with his former Duke team is possible for Baylor guard Jeremy Roach in round 2, but for me it will be Mississippi State who advances.

Baylor vs Mississippi State prediction: Mississippi State -1 (-112) available at time of publishing. Playable to -2.

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