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Baylor Basketball

Gameday Thread: #20 Baylor (2-0) vs Gardner Webb (1-1)

November 11, 2023
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#20 Baylor (2-0) welcomes Gardner Webb (1-1) from Boiling Spring, North Carolina to Waco for a Sunday November 12th match-up at the Ferrell Center at 4pm CST.  The game will be televised on ESPN+

KenPom Prediction:  Baylor 85 Gardner Webb 64

Torvik Prediction:  Baylor 85 Gardner Webb 63

Evan Miyakawa Prediction:  Baylor 79 Gardner Webb 63

Haslametrics:  Baylor 81 Gardner Webb 61


Coaches

Gardner Webb:  Tim Craft (46) 172-150; 1 NCAA

Baylor:  Scott Drew (53); 444-243 overall (424-232 at Baylor); 11 NCAAs; 5 Sweet 16s; 3 Elite 8s; FF; 1 National Championship

Head to Head:  0-0


Gardner Webb Starters

Guard:  Julien Souamaoro (JR) 5-11 175 lbs; 12 ppg; 3 asst; 35% FG; 33% 3pt; 29% FT

Guard:  DQ Nicholas (SR) 6-1 180 lbs; 8 ppg; 5 reb; 3 asst; 29% FG; 50% 3pt; 33% FT

Guard:  Lucas Steiber (SR) 6-3 205 lbs; 3 ppg; 3 reb; 22% FG; 17% 3pt

Guard:  Caleb Robinson (SR) 6-4 200 lbs; 16 ppg; 7 reb; 42% FG; 71% FT

Forward:  Cheickna Sissoko (SR) 6-9 235 lbs; 8 ppg; 6 reb; 2 blks; 53% FG; 29% 3pt; 56% FT

Gardner Webb Bench

Forward:  Brendan Mykalcio (JR) 6-7 210 lbs; 11 ppg; 7 reb; 47% FG; 50% 3pt; 86% FT

Guard:  Darryl Simmons (FR) 5-11 160 lbs; 9 ppg; 46% FG; 44% 3pt; 100% FT

Guard:  Shahar Lazar (FR) 6-2 215 lbs; 9 ppg; 3 asst; 88% FG; 75% 3pt

Guard:  Quest Aldridge (SR) 6-4 185 lbs; 5 ppg; 2 reb; 33% FG; 22% 3pt

Forward:  Isaiah Richards (JR) 6-10 225 lbs; 3 ppg; 6 reb; 67% FG; 33% FT


Baylor Starters

Guard:  RayJ Dennis (SR) 6-3 180 lbs; 16 ppg; 4 reb; 5 asst; 64% FG; 33% 3pt; 100% FT

Guard:  Jayden Nunn (JR) 6-3 190 lbs; 11 ppg; 4 reb; 3 asst; 4 st; 39% FG; 40% 3pt; 67% FT 

Guard:  Ja’Kobe Walter (FR) 6-5 185 lbs; 18 ppg; 4 reb; 46% FG; 39% 3pt; 100% FT

Forward:  Jalen Bridges (JR) 6-9 225 lbs; 9 ppg; 5 reb; 2 st; 43% FG; 25% 3pt; 60% FT

Forward:  Jonthan Tchama Tchatuouia (SR) 6-8 235 lbs; 1 ppg; 2 reb; 50% FG

Baylor Bench

Guard:  Langston Love (SO) 6-5 210 lbs; 15 ppg; 3 reb; 48% FG; 50% 3pt; 80% FT

Forward:  Caleb Lohner (JR) 6-8 235 lbs; 2 ppg; 4 reb; 67% FG

Guard:  Miro Little (FR) 6-4 190 lbs; 4 ppg; 75% FG; 50% FT

Forward:  Yves Missi (FR) 6-11 220 lbs; 10 ppg; 3 reb; 3 blocks; 64% FG; 60% FT

Forward:  Josh Ojianwuna (SO) 6-10 240 lbs; 5 ppg; 8 reb; 67% FG; 40% FT

Guard:  Dantwan Grimes (JR) 6-2 190 lbs; 3 ppg; 2 reb; 33% FG; 100% FT

Discussion from...

Gameday Thread: #20 Baylor (2-0) vs Gardner Webb (1-1)

19,428 Views | 162 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by historian
Killing Floor
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Thanks. Starting from halftime
Sic'em
Let’s Go!
Fre3dombear
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How many minutes for EJ?
IowaBear
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0
Married A Horn
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IowaBear said:

Rough football weekend for me… watches BU no show per usual. But than I watched my Jags just completely **** the bed today


Cowboys firing on all cylinders!
gobears20
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Staff
We are a work in progress but I don't get mad at all with this team like I did last years team. Loved watching Grimes and Missi
DanaDane
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Crawfoso1973
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It will take a second for our team to gel, especially defensively. When you have an elite shot-blocker like Missi the rest of the team defense will have to adjust. Missi is constantly lurking looking to block shots on help side defense so the rest of our guys have to "help the helper" both defensively and on the boards when Missi doesn't get the block. Our transition D was bad today because there were a few times we were loafing while other times there was a lack of communication. We have to take some lessons from EJ about communicating better on the defensive end.

Love our new depth this year. We haven't had this quality depth in several seasons.

Bridges loafing back on transition D? Lohner gets extended run, Bridges sits a while.

RayJ trying to do to much and leaves his feet for another dumb turnover? Grimes gets extended run, RayJ sits awhile.

To use a baseball analogy, Drew will be able to use this bench like a baseball manager can use an elite bullpen. If the starter's fastball is getting knocked around, bring in a reliever with a great changeup or curveball.

Crawfoso1973
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Scary. A few days ago I posted this exact thing on one of these threads. EJ transitioning to player-coach.
DanaDane
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You nailed it! Now, I'm starting to think you're a mole!
Crawfoso1973
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Quinton
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Don't love the trends here but still early. Playing down to comp and lackadaisical energy gets you beat eventually.

The lapses aren't as bad but still some flashbacks from last year with a much more capable roster at guard. Guards are easily getting a step on our perimeter defense right now and our D starts to break down. GW just wasn't great at finishing but before the last 10 minutes they were getting consistently good looks. O was way too sloppy and stagnant. Seems teams might pressure and pack on us. Hopefully the 3 ball gets more consistent to open up the court.

On a good note, Grimes showed some of what I thought he had. Nice flashes and good minutes from him. Ball handling, passing, burst, and nice finishes. Love is a machine at drawing fouls. Need the energy to be amped up at least a few levels.
Mitch Henessey
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DanaDane said:

Yup. He's not gonna be playing many 5'11" guards in the Big 12 like today. That tournament could really help get him ready.
There are surprisingly a few more guys that size than you'd expect in the Big 12. Tylor Perry at KSU, Max Abmas at Texas, Jameer Nelson Jr. at TCU, Jizzle James at Cincy, Cryer and Jamal Shead at UH, Tamin Lipsey at ISU, Joe Toussaint at Tech, Darius Johnson at UCF are all around that size.
Fre3dombear
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I was shocked at GW points in the paint. Seems they made about 25 layups / 4ft or < bank shots
historian
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Crawfoso1973 said:

Scary. A few days ago I posted this exact thing on one of these threads. EJ transitioning to player-coach.

Not scary. Smart & perceptive. He's a natural for that role.

How sad that he still cannot play the way he did before the accident but that was a horrible injury. It's amazing that hd has recovered as much as he has. Maybe this was God's way of moving him in a different direction than he had planned. I can see him someday becoming a great college coach. Who knows? Maybe in another 10-20 years he will take over after Coach Drew retires (or Tweety Carter)!
Crawfoso1973
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Would love that, if that's a goal he has in his heart. God will use him for great things no matter what path he chooses.
EvilTroyAndAbed
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Third game in six days with one more Tuesday. I'd expect us to play the same then and get the win, but probably not super impressively. Then we'll have a week off thank goodness.
bear2be2
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Mitch Henessey said:

DanaDane said:

Yup. He's not gonna be playing many 5'11" guards in the Big 12 like today. That tournament could really help get him ready.
There are surprisingly a few more guys that size than you'd expect in the Big 12. Tylor Perry at KSU, Max Abmas at Texas, Jameer Nelson Jr. at TCU, Jizzle James at Cincy, Cryer and Jamal Shead at UH, Tamin Lipsey at ISU, Joe Toussaint at Tech, Darius Johnson at UCF are all around that size.
And most of them are really damn good.

We've seen a bunch of diminutive guards perform well in the Big 12, including several for our own team.

If you can play, you can play.
bear2be2
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historian said:

Crawfoso1973 said:

Scary. A few days ago I posted this exact thing on one of these threads. EJ transitioning to player-coach.

Not scary. Smart & perceptive. He's a natural for that role.

How sad that he still cannot play the way he did before the accident but that was a horrible injury. It's amazing that hd has recovered as much as he has. Maybe this was God's way of moving him in a different direction than he had planned. I can see him someday becoming a great college coach. Who knows? Maybe in another 10-20 years he will take over after Coach Drew retires (or Tweety Carter)!
Unfortunately, Jon's ACL injury wasn't a normal ACL tear. Once you start talking about nerve damage and drop foot, a permanent and potentially significant loss of athleticism is almost certain.

My dad had almost the exact same injury running the bases at my son's birthday party a couple of years ago. He went completely over his skis and had almost the same level of hyperextension. I was watching as it happened and ... yuck. Obviously, he's a man in his mid-60s, not an elite college athlete, but his recovery process was enlightening because his doctor was relaying to him all the same obstacles and statistics that Jon faced.

It's a true shame that EJ will never be the player he was pre-injury, but I'm happy to have him on our team regardless. I think he'll find a way to impact a game or two this season and I know he'll make an impact in practice and on the bench.
bear2be2
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Our defensive efficiency improved from 25th to 23rd with last night's win. As rough as that first half was, we played a really good defensive half to close the game.

This team certainly has some rough edges to smooth out, but it doesn't have any of the glaring weaknesses that last year's did IMO.
Quinton
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Texas and especially Houston are tiny at guard (height and length/wingspan). One of the reasons I'm skeptical of them.

Tcu and Kstate also have small but very capable lead guards. We have the best combo of size and skill at guard. All our guards have 6'7" wingspans or better other than Grimes.
historian
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Crawfoso1973 said:

Would love that, if that's a goal he has in his heart. God will use him for great things no matter what path he chooses.

Amen!
historian
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That bodes well.
 
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