Place Your Bets: Baylor at Texas (Mar. 2)

Baylor (17-11, 5-9) at Texas (19-9, 8-6)

Mon. Mar. 2 at 9:00 p.m. EST

Spread: Texas -8.0

Backcourt Advantage: Even

This will be the final home game for Texas senior guard A.J. Abrams (17.0 PPG). Abrams and the Longhorns have struggled at times this season, but he has had no problem scoring at home, averaging 22.3 PPG in his last three home games.

Abrams scored a game high of 19 points on 7-for-12 shooting in the Longhorns' 78-72 win over Baylor in their first meeting on Jan. 27.

Led by senior Curtis Jerrells (16.4 PPG), Baylor is hoping to break its 23-game losing streak to Texas. Jerrells and fellow guards LaceDarius Dunn (15.0 PPG), Henry Dugat (10.7 PPG) and Tweety Carter (11.8 PPG) will be launching three-pointers early and often.

So if their long-range shots are falling, the Bears will have a real shot to shock the Longhorns.

Frontcourt Advantage: Texas

Led by junior swingman Damion James (15.8 PPG, 9.4 RPG), Texas will have a slight edge inside over Kevin Rogers (12.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG) and the Bears. In their first meeting in Waco, James and Rogers each led their teams with 12 rebounds and both teams finished the game with 42 rebounds.

In Austin, the Longhorns will have the advantage.

Momentum: Texas

The Longhorns and their fans will create a very intimidating environment for Baylor. The Bears will have to get off to a fast start to give themselves the confidence they will need to end their streak of futility against the mighty Longhorns. 

The Bears will be relying heavily on their outside shooting, while the Longhorns will rely on the leadership of Abrams.

I expect Abrams to deliver a special performance in his final home game, but the Bears will make it a close game.

Shaun's Pick: Baylor +8.0