Feb 1, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears head coach Scott Drew speaks with ahead Norchad Omier (15) throughout a break in play towards the Kansas Jayhawks within the first half at Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion. Obligatory Credit score: Chris Jones-Imagn Photos Baylor coach Scott Drew is selecting to take the optimistic outlook together with his up-and-down staff forward of Saturday’s Huge 12 Convention dwelling sport towards UCF in Waco, Texas.
The Bears (14-8, 6-5) have performed shorthanded over the past 10 video games, the period of time guard Langston Love has missed with an ankle damage. As well as, Duke switch Jeremy Roach simply returned from concussion protocol after lacking 4 video games, whereas VJ Edgecombe sat out Tuesday’s 73-59 loss at No. 13 Texas Tech with an ankle damage.
“On this league, it is laborious if you’re taking part in six, seven guys,” Drew stated. “Hopefully, we get VJ and Langston again, and that may actually assist with issues. Us coaches, our performs actually work so much higher when we have now extra gamers.
“I do not know if anybody’s gone via what we have gone via with the damage bug.”
Nonetheless, Baylor is in place to earn an NCAA Event berth with a powerful end. The Bears are led by ahead Norchad Omier (15.4 factors, 10.4 rebounds per sport), who recorded his 79th profession double-double with 16 factors and 12 rebounds towards the Purple Raiders.
In the meantime, the Knights (13-9, 4-7) are coming off a 93-83 setback at dwelling Wednesday night time to Cincinnati that prolonged their dropping streak to 3 video games. They have been gashed inside, permitting a whopping 56 factors within the paint.
“We now have to get again to understanding what the priorities are defensively,” UCF coach Johnny Dawkins stated. “That is defending our paint and understanding that guys should be the place they’re speculated to be. We all know what our assignments are … that is consideration to element.”
The Knights have allowed 79.4 factors per sport, almost 5 greater than some other Huge 12 staff, and have permitted league opponents to make 48.4 % of their subject targets. That is additionally the worst mark within the Huge 12.
Keyshawn Corridor leads the assault with 18.3 factors per sport whereas Darius Johnson chips in 15.0 per sport.
Baylor earned a 77-69 win final season in Orlando within the groups’ first-ever assembly.
–Area Stage Media
