If we could start off the college basketball season with forty matchups in the first three days like @AuburnMBB vs. @BaylorMBB, think of how good it would be for the sport. It should feel like Christmas morning for hoops fans. Throw in some 24-hour Marathons again for good…
— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) November 8, 2023
Gameday Thread: #20 Baylor vs Auburn
#20 Baylor (0-0) tips off against Auburn (0-0) Tuesday November 7th at the Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at 8pm CST. The game is televised on ESPN.
KenPom Prediction: Baylor 72 Auburn 71
Torvik Prediction: Baylor 74 Auburn 73
Evan Miyakawa Prediction: Baylor 76 Auburn 75
Haslametrics: Baylor 74 Auburn 72
Coaches
Auburn: Bruce Pearl (63) 649-256 (187-111 at Auburn); 12 NCAAs; 3 Sweet 16s; Elite 8; FF
Baylor: Scott Drew (53); 442-244 overall (422-233 at Baylor); 11 NCAAs; 5 Sweet 16s; 3 Elite 8s; FF; 1 National Championship
Head to Head: 1-0 Drew
*Auburn Starters
Guard: Tre Donaldson (SO) 6-2 190 lbs; 3 ppg; 1 asst; 38% FG; 41% 3pt; 55% FT
Guard: Denver Jones (JR) 6-4 205 lbs; 20 ppg; 4 reb; 2 asst; 48% FG; 37% 3pt; 85% FT (FIU)
Guard: Chaney Johnson (JR) 6-7 215 lbs; 16 ppg; 7 reb; 2 asst; 52% FG; 30% 3pt; 77% FT (D2)
Forward: Chris Moore (SR) 6-6 220 lbs; 4 ppg; 2 reb; 49% FG; 41% 3pt; 71% FT
Forward: Johni Broome (JR) 6-10 240 lbs; 14 ppg; 8 reb; 53% FG; 29% 3pt; 56% FT
*using starting lineup from exhibition game but more likely that KD Johnson and Jaylin Williams are starters. 5 star PG Aden Holloway didn’t play in exhibitiion (ankle sprain). Johni Broome left with a shoulder injury but is expected to play
Auburn Bench
Guard: KD Johnson (SR) 6-0 190 lbs; 9 ppg; 38% FG; 33% 3pt; 69% FT
Forward: Jaylin Williams (SR) 6-8 245 lbs; 11 ppg; 5 reb; 2 asst; 47% FG; 35% 3pt; 77% FT
Guard: Chad Baker-Mazara (JR) 6-7 180 lbs; 6 ppg; 42% FG; 39% 3pt; 90% FT (SDSU)
Forward: Dylan Cardwell (SR) 6-11 255 lbs; 4 ppg; 4 reb; 75% FG; 31% FT
Guard: Aden Holloway (FR) 6-1 180 lbs; 5 star; #16 Recruit in 247 2023 class
Baylor Starters
Guard: RayJ Dennis (SR) 6-3 180 lbs; 20 ppg; 4 reb; 6 asst; 48% FG; 37% 3pt; 77% FT (Toledo)
Guard: Langston Love (SO) 6-5 210 lbs; 6 ppg; 2 reb; 43% FG; 36% 3pt; 69% FT
Guard: Ja’Kobe Walter (FR) 6-5 185 lbs; 5 star; #8 Recruit in 247 2023 class
Forward: Jalen Bridges (JR) 6-9 225 lbs; 10 ppg; 6 reb; 51% FG; 32% 3pt; 78% FT
Forward: Jonthan Tchama Tchatuouia (SR) 6-8 235 lbs; 5 ppg; 5 reb; 48% FG; 43% 3pt; 85% FT
Baylor Bench
Guard: Jayden Nunn (JR) 6-3 190 lbs; 9 ppg; 3 asst; 2 st; 43% FG; 40% 3pt; 70% FT (VCU)e
Forward: Caleb Lohner (JR) 6-8 235 lbs; 3 ppg; 4 reb; 55% FG; 25% 3pt; 64% FT
Guard: Miro Little (FR) 6-4 190 lbs; 4 star; #41 Recruit in 247 2023 Class
Forward: Yves Missi (FR) 6-11 220 lbs; 4 star; #42 Recruit in 247 2023 Class
Forward: Josh Ojianwuna (SO) 6-10 240 lbs; 4 ppg; 4 reb; 59% FG; 66% FT
Guard: Dantwan Grimes (JR) 6-2 190 lbs; redshirted last season as juco transfer