Baylor Bears vs Kansas State Wildcats Picks and Predictions for Tuesday February 17 2026

The Baylor Bears travel to Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan, Kansas to face the Kansas State Wildcats on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Tipoff is set for 9:00 PM ET with the game airing on ESPN2. Baylor enters as a 3.5-point road favorite, and the total is listed at 165.5. The moneyline has not been released at the time of this writing. Be sure to also check out our free college basketball picks for more analysis and daily betting insights.

Baylor Looking to Stop the Slide

Baylor comes into this matchup at 13-12 overall and 3-9 in Big 12 play, including a 2-4 road record in conference action. The Bears have struggled recently, dropping three straight games. They recently lost to Louisville 82-71 and BYU 99-94 before falling 72-69 at Iowa State. Prior to that stretch, Baylor picked up wins over Colorado 86-67 and West Virginia 63-53. The recent defensive lapses have been costly, especially in tight road contests.

Offensively, Baylor remains one of the more efficient scoring teams in the conference, averaging 83.4 points per game while shooting 48% from the field. The Bears also grab 37.8 rebounds per game and dish out 15.8 assists, showing strong ball movement when they are clicking. However, they allow 76.1 points per contest, and defensive consistency has been a major issue during conference play.

One strength for Baylor is its interior presence. The Bears average 4.6 blocks per game and generate 6.5 steals per contest, which allows them to create transition opportunities. When Baylor establishes control in the paint and protects the rim, they are capable of turning defense into easy offense. The question is whether they can sustain that intensity on the road against a desperate Kansas State squad.

Wildcats Searching for a Breakthrough

Kansas State enters at 10-15 overall and just 1-11 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats are 1-5 at home in conference action and are currently mired in a five-game losing streak. They recently lost to Houston 78-64 and Cincinnati 91-62, while also dropping close contests to TCU 84-82 and West Virginia 59-54. The loss to Iowa State 95-61 highlighted the defensive struggles that have plagued them all season.

The Wildcats are scoring 80.2 points per game and shooting 46% from the field, which shows they can put points on the board. They also average 17.8 assists per game, an impressive number that reflects strong ball distribution and offensive structure. However, the defense has been a major concern, allowing 80.7 points per game, one of the higher marks in the conference.

Kansas State does generate 6.9 steals per game and contributes 3.7 blocks per contest, but their rebounding has been inconsistent at 34.8 boards per game. If they cannot control the glass against Baylor’s size, second-chance opportunities could become the difference in this matchup. At home, they will need improved defensive intensity to compete for a full 40 minutes.

Baylor Bears vs Kansas State Wildcats Pick

Baylor Bears vs Kansas State Wildcats Spread Pick

• Pick: Baylor -3.5

Baylor has been inconsistent, but they are the more balanced team on both ends of the floor. While both squads are struggling in conference play, the Bears have shown flashes of defensive capability and superior rebounding. Kansas State’s defense has been leaking points at an alarming rate, and that is concerning against a Baylor offense that averages over 83 points per game. I expect Baylor to control the tempo and take advantage of mismatches inside, covering the small road number.

Baylor Bears vs Kansas State Wildcats Total Pick

• Pick: Over 165.5

I like the over in this one. Both teams average over 80 points per game, and neither defense has been particularly reliable in conference play. With Baylor allowing 76.1 points per game and Kansas State giving up 80.7, this sets up as a high-scoring contest. I anticipate a fast pace, plenty of transition buckets, and a game that pushes into the high 160s.