Kansas vs. Baylor: Bears Will Devour Jayhawks in Big-12 Rematch

Kansas knocked the Baylor Bears from the unbeaten ranks in their first match-up, but Perry Jones III and crew will be victorious in Waco. Baylor is one of the top five most talented teams in the country, and they are eager to prove they can defeat the Jayhawks.

The first loss was followed up by a heart breaking one point defeat to Missouri. The Bears are about to embark on a two game span, with the same opponents set.

After the Bears take on Kansas, they will have their shot at revenge against the Tigers. Baylor has won three straight since those two initial missteps.

The match-up against Kansas will be different this time for a few reasons. First and foremost, the game takes place in Waco. The first loss came to Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks are one of the toughest programs at home in the country. They are 12-0 at home this season, and 183-9 since 2000 in Lawrence.

A victory by Baylor, or any other team in the nation, at Allen Fieldhouse is extremely unlikey, especially if the Jayhawks have a talented team.

The biggest edge the Jayhawks had in the first meeting was on the glass. They out rebounded Baylor 36-21, and rode that advantage to a victory.

It didn't help that the Bears shot only 30 percent from three point range in that game. Better shooting could have nullified the rebounding advantage. 

Both of those totals were significantly lower than their season averages.

Baylor pulls down an average of 38 boards per night while shooting almost 40 percent from distance. They must replicate those totals to ensure revenge against Kansas. My bet is that they will play a game that resembles the rest of their season, and I again point to the home court advantage factor.

Role players always play better at home, especially on the collegiate level. Case in point, Jayhawks center Jeff Withey averages eight points and six rebounds during the regular season. He notched a double-double in the first match-up with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

On the other side, Baylor three point marksmen Brady Heslip is a 44 percent shooter from the arc. He made only one of three from distance. Most tellingly, leading rebounders Quincy Acy and Jones III were both held under their average production on the glass.

Imagine that slight boost and regression across the board; that is what creates lopsided victories like the 92-74 victory the Jayhawks enjoyed in the teams first game.

The shear size advantage the Jayhawks has will show up in any arena, but the way the Bears can combat that is to control tempo and play in transition.

They must box out, limit Jayhawks' second chances and run at every opportunity. They will shoot better as well. The Bears have shot 48 percent from the field at home throughout the season, and those two factors will key a revenge win for Baylor.

Baylor will even this series, and we may just have to wait to see these teams on a neutral court to find out whose superior.

The tie-breaker may just come in the Big 12 tournament.