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Baylor Basketball

Gameday Thread: No. 15 Baylor Travels To Take On No. 25 Connecticut

December 2, 2024
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No. 15 Baylor (5-2) travels to Storrs, Connecticut, to play two-time defending national champions No. 25 Connecticut (5-3) on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m. CST. The game will be televised on FS1.

KenPom Prediction: Connecticut 76, Baylor 73

Torvik Prediction: Connecticut 73, Baylor 70

Evan Miyakwa: Connecticut 75, Baylor 72

Haslametrics: Connecticut 73, Baylor 69

Coaches

  • Connecticut: Dan Hurley (51); 297-166 (146-61 at UCONN); 6 NCAAs; 2 Sweet 16s; 2 Elite 8s; 2 FFs; 2 National Championships
  • Baylor: Scott Drew (54); 470-255 overall (440-244 at Baylor); 12 NCAAs; 5 Sweet 16s; 3 Elite 8s; FF; 1 National Championship
  • Head to Head: 0-0

Connecticut Starters

  • Guard: Hassan Diara (Sr.) 6-2 195 lbs; 8 ppg; 3 reb; 5 asst; 51% FG; 35% 3pt; 80% FT
  • Guard: Solo Ball (So.) 6-3 190 lbs; 13 ppg; 2 asst; 51% FG; 46% 3pt; 67% FT 
  • Guard: Liam McNeely (Fr.) 6-7 210 lbs; 13 ppg; 5 reb; 2 asst; 41% FG; 35% 3pt; 80% FT
  • Forward: Alex Karaban (Sr.) 6-8 225 lbs; 16 ppg; 4 reb; 3 asst; 2 blks; 51% FG; 47% 3pt; 83% FT
  • Forward: Samson Johnson (Sr.) 6-10 225 lbs; 7 ppg; 3 reb; 80% FG; 67% FT

Connecticut Bench

  • Forward: Tarris Read (Jr.) 6-10 260 lbs; 11 ppg; 9 reb; 2 blks; 77% FG; 70% FT
  • Forward: Jayden Ross (So.) 6-7 205 lbs; 6 ppg; 3 reb; 2 asst; 43% FG; 22% 3pt; 100% FT
  • Guard: Aidan Mahaney (Jr.) 6-3 185 lbs; 5 ppg; 2 asst; 31% FG; 28% 3pt; 50% FT
  • Forward: Jaylin Stewart (So.) 6-7 215 lbs; 6 ppg; 3 reb; 2 asst; 54% FG; 21% 3pt; 71% FT

Baylor Starters

  • Guard: Jeremy Roach (Sr.) 6-2 180 lbs; 13 ppg; 5 asst; 44% FG; 37% 3pt; 71% FT
  • Guard: Jayden Nunn (Sr.) 6-4 190 lbs; 13 ppg; 4 reb; 2 st; 45% FG; 49% 3pt; 67% FT
  • Guard: VJ Edgecombe (Fr.) 6-5 190 lbs; 11 ppg; 5 reb; 3 asst; 2 st; 2 blks; 37% FG; 27% 3pt 68% FT
  • Forward: Norchad Omier (Sr.) 6-7 245 lbs; 16 ppg; 10 reb; 60% FG; 18% 3pt; 70% FT
  • Forward: Josh Ojianwuna (Jr.) 6-10 255 lbs; 6 ppg; 5 reb; 2 st; 82% FG; 68% FT

Baylor Bench

  • Guard: Langston Love (Jr.) 6-5 215 lbs; 11 ppg; 3 reb; 47% FG; 48% 3p; 78% FT (2023-24 stats)
  • Forward: Jalen Celestine (Sr.) 6-7 215 lbs; 9 ppg; 2 reb; 41% FG; 42% 3pt; 100% FT
  • Guard: Rob Wright (Fr.) 6-1 180 lbs; 12 ppg; 5 asst; 48% FG; 50% 3pt; 79% FT
Discussion from...

Gameday Thread: No. 15 Baylor Travels To Take On No. 25 Connecticut

20,012 Views | 193 Replies | Last: 18 days ago by Big12Fan2024
Crawfoso1973
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In reply to bear2be2 • 4:38a, 12/5/24
Yep, re: roster construction I don't disagree one bit. The way this roster is constructed we are still better off with Omier playing at center and playing small ball 4 with a combination of VJ, Love, and Celestine. Unfortunately Josh O only deserves to be an 8-12 minute guy at this point.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to Stefano DiMera • 4:39a, 12/5/24
Stefano DiMera said:
How can I be politically correct here..

We need to abandon the 'Basketball Beyond Borders ' recruiting philosophy at the center position by stop recruiting people who just picked up a ball at 18..and going after a more Americanized version of a center that's been playing all their life.
Yves Missi and Norchad Omier say hi...
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Big12Fan2024
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5:57a, 12/5/24
As I look back on last night and think of some positives:

- In the Big 12 only Iowa St and KU would be as loud and tough and as much as a homecourt advantage as Gampel, and we don't play at KU this year. So we played well in a tough true road game. I don't think we'll have too many more game this year where the opponent shoots 14 more FTs. Hurley worked the refs all night and it worked.

- While we definitely had some defensive lapses and a couple of guys are still really bad at switches (not sure if it is poor communication, poor fundamentals or combination) overall I thought we played much more tenacious on D and really got after them moreso than almost any other game this year. It was the first time I felt like we were making progress on that side and hope we continue that progress.

- Langston may not be at 100% but it was a joy seeing him back on the floor competing and playing well. We are a much better offensive team with him on the floor, visible limp and all. I didn't realize until after the game he played the most minutes of anyone.

- Wright continues to grow before our very eyes. What an extremely talented player.

- I look at VJ - Karaban as a wash because they were both out the entire game. What wasn't a wash was us losing Roach who would have been a necessary scoring threat and a seasoned leader during those final 5 minutes.
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Johnny Bear
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 9:03a, 12/5/24
Big12Fan2024 said:
As I look back on last night and think of some positives:

- In the Big 12 only Iowa St and KU would be as loud and tough and as much as a homecourt advantage as Gampel, and we don't play at KU this year. So we played well in a tough true road game. I don't think we'll have too many more game this year where the opponent shoots 14 more FTs. Hurley worked the refs all night and it worked.

- While we definitely had some defensive lapses and a couple of guys are still really bad at switches (not sure if it is poor communication, poor fundamentals or combination) overall I thought we played much more tenacious on D and really got after them moreso than almost any other game this year. It was the first time I felt like we were making progress on that side and hope we continue that progress.

- Langston may not be at 100% but it was a joy seeing him back on the floor competing and playing well. We are a much better offensive team with him on the floor, visible limp and all. I didn't realize until after the game he played the most minutes of anyone.

- Wright continues to grow before our very eyes. What an extremely talented player.

- I look at VJ - Karaban as a wash because they were both out the entire game. What wasn't a wash was us losing Roach who would have been a necessary scoring threat and a seasoned leader during those final 5 minutes.

Good comments. While I'm always disappointed with a loss, it's at least easier to take a loss where we were competitive the entire 40 minutes on the road versus a talented high end opponent (and despite their three losses in Maui, UConn is still a high end opponent). Not having Roach down the stretch was big and yet we were still in position to pull off the win. Had we simply done a better job with FTs in the closing minutes we very well might have gotten the "W". Anyway, I agree there were some positive signs that hopefully this team will build on going forward.
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Mitch Henessey
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 9:12a, 12/5/24
Big12Fan2024 said:
As I look back on last night and think of some positives:

- In the Big 12 only Iowa St and KU would be as loud and tough and as much as a homecourt advantage as Gampel, and we don't play at KU this year. So we played well in a tough true road game. I don't think we'll have too many more game this year where the opponent shoots 14 more FTs. Hurley worked the refs all night and it worked.

- While we definitely had some defensive lapses and a couple of guys are still really bad at switches (not sure if it is poor communication, poor fundamentals or combination) overall I thought we played much more tenacious on D and really got after them moreso than almost any other game this year. It was the first time I felt like we were making progress on that side and hope we continue that progress.

- Langston may not be at 100% but it was a joy seeing him back on the floor competing and playing well. We are a much better offensive team with him on the floor, visible limp and all. I didn't realize until after the game he played the most minutes of anyone.

- Wright continues to grow before our very eyes. What an extremely talented player.

- I look at VJ - Karaban as a wash because they were both out the entire game. What wasn't a wash was us losing Roach who would have been a necessary scoring threat and a seasoned leader during those final 5 minutes.
You pretty much summed up my takeaways exactly.

In past years, it seems like we've peaked early. 2022 was a prime example (obviously injuries played a massive role in that) where we slaughtered a Final 4 bound Villanova, beat a Sweet 16 ISU team in Ames, and beat Texas handily (RIP EJ's knee). Past teams have started out great, finished "meh."

This year, while we still absolutely have the potential for a "meh" outcome, it feels like we're barely scratching the surface of our potential. I feel like we're going to be a much better team in February/March than we are in December, and that hasn't necessarily been the case in a number of years.
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boognish_bear
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9:33a, 12/5/24


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ScottS
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In reply to Drisk • 10:34a, 12/5/24
Drisk said:
This McNeely seems like a snot nosed little brat. Constantly whining to the refs.
Also has a very punchable face.

Any relation to Ty?
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Limited IQ Redneck in PU
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12:05p, 12/5/24
Doc wasnt at the game.
I have found theres only two ways to go:
Living fast or dying slow.
I dont want to live forever.
But I will live while I'm here.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 7:33p, 12/5/24
Big12Fan2024 said:
As I look back on last night and think of some positives:

- In the Big 12 only Iowa St and KU would be as loud and tough and as much as a homecourt advantage as Gampel, and we don't play at KU this year. So we played well in a tough true road game. I don't think we'll have too many more game this year where the opponent shoots 14 more FTs. Hurley worked the refs all night and it worked.

- While we definitely had some defensive lapses and a couple of guys are still really bad at switches (not sure if it is poor communication, poor fundamentals or combination) overall I thought we played much more tenacious on D and really got after them moreso than almost any other game this year. It was the first time I felt like we were making progress on that side and hope we continue that progress.

- Langston may not be at 100% but it was a joy seeing him back on the floor competing and playing well. We are a much better offensive team with him on the floor, visible limp and all. I didn't realize until after the game he played the most minutes of anyone.

- Wright continues to grow before our very eyes. What an extremely talented player.

- I look at VJ - Karaban as a wash because they were both out the entire game. What wasn't a wash was us losing Roach who would have been a necessary scoring threat and a seasoned leader during those final 5 minutes.
Karaban is a way better player than Edgecombe is at this point. I agree with you on the loss of Roach. That hurt when we were already down VJ.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Johnny Bear • 7:38p, 12/5/24
Johnny Bear said:
Big12Fan2024 said:
As I look back on last night and think of some positives:

- In the Big 12 only Iowa St and KU would be as loud and tough and as much as a homecourt advantage as Gampel, and we don't play at KU this year. So we played well in a tough true road game. I don't think we'll have too many more game this year where the opponent shoots 14 more FTs. Hurley worked the refs all night and it worked.

- While we definitely had some defensive lapses and a couple of guys are still really bad at switches (not sure if it is poor communication, poor fundamentals or combination) overall I thought we played much more tenacious on D and really got after them moreso than almost any other game this year. It was the first time I felt like we were making progress on that side and hope we continue that progress.

- Langston may not be at 100% but it was a joy seeing him back on the floor competing and playing well. We are a much better offensive team with him on the floor, visible limp and all. I didn't realize until after the game he played the most minutes of anyone.

- Wright continues to grow before our very eyes. What an extremely talented player.

- I look at VJ - Karaban as a wash because they were both out the entire game. What wasn't a wash was us losing Roach who would have been a necessary scoring threat and a seasoned leader during those final 5 minutes.

Good comments. While I'm always disappointed with a loss, it's at least easier to take a loss where we were competitive the entire 40 minutes on the road versus a talented high end opponent (and despite their three losses in Maui, UConn is still a high end opponent). Not having Roach down the stretch was big and yet we were still in position to pull off the win. Had we simply done a better job with FTs in the closing minutes we very well might have gotten the "W". Anyway, I agree there were some positive signs that hopefully this team will build on going forward.
The only thing that really bothered me is we played some braindead basketball in the final three minutes. A lane violation on a second free throw to take a point off the board in a one-possession game followed by an unnecessary foul on the opposite baseline to send them to the line for two free points is absolutely inexcusable. That's how you lose close games.

And we had some other low-IQ plays after that that hurt us as well.

This team doesn't have a particularly high margin for error. We can't afford to exacerbate our obvious roster issues by playing dumb basketball.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Mitch Henessey • 7:40p, 12/5/24
Mitch Henessey said:
Big12Fan2024 said:
As I look back on last night and think of some positives:

- In the Big 12 only Iowa St and KU would be as loud and tough and as much as a homecourt advantage as Gampel, and we don't play at KU this year. So we played well in a tough true road game. I don't think we'll have too many more game this year where the opponent shoots 14 more FTs. Hurley worked the refs all night and it worked.

- While we definitely had some defensive lapses and a couple of guys are still really bad at switches (not sure if it is poor communication, poor fundamentals or combination) overall I thought we played much more tenacious on D and really got after them moreso than almost any other game this year. It was the first time I felt like we were making progress on that side and hope we continue that progress.

- Langston may not be at 100% but it was a joy seeing him back on the floor competing and playing well. We are a much better offensive team with him on the floor, visible limp and all. I didn't realize until after the game he played the most minutes of anyone.

- Wright continues to grow before our very eyes. What an extremely talented player.

- I look at VJ - Karaban as a wash because they were both out the entire game. What wasn't a wash was us losing Roach who would have been a necessary scoring threat and a seasoned leader during those final 5 minutes.
You pretty much summed up my takeaways exactly.

In past years, it seems like we've peaked early. 2022 was a prime example (obviously injuries played a massive role in that) where we slaughtered a Final 4 bound Villanova, beat a Sweet 16 ISU team in Ames, and beat Texas handily (RIP EJ's knee). Past teams have started out great, finished "meh."

This year, while we still absolutely have the potential for a "meh" outcome, it feels like we're barely scratching the surface of our potential. I feel like we're going to be a much better team in February/March than we are in December, and that hasn't necessarily been the case in a number of years.
I hope this is the case because if it's not, we're looking at a 20-win season and an eight or nine seed this year.
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bear2be2
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In reply to boognish_bear • 7:43p, 12/5/24
boognish_bear said:


Wright is already our best guard IMO. He's the only true point guard on the team, and he's already a more efficient scorer than all of the upperclassmen -- save maybe a healthy Love.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to bear2be2 • 8:29a, 12/6/24
Wright might even be our best PLAYER not just our best guard.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 8:30a, 12/6/24
Crawfoso1973 said:
Wright might even be our best PLAYER not just our best guard.
I still think Omier is our best and most impactful player. But I'd put Wright at No. 2 right now.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to bear2be2 • 8:32a, 12/6/24
Omier might be right now considering how much age and experience he has on him. But Wright is closing that gap very quickly, if not already. Wright's court vision and feel for the game are truly next level. I see a lot of Chris Paul in him.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 8:38a, 12/6/24
Crawfoso1973 said:
Omier might be right now considering how much age and experience he has on him. But Wright is closing that gap very quickly, if not already. Wright's court vision and feel for the game are truly next level. I see a lot of Chris Paul in him.
Wright has quickly become one of my favorite freshmen ever. I love his game. But Omier is one of the best and most consistent bigs in the country.

If you traded Omier for most other post players in college basketball, I don't even think this would be a good team. He's that important to the limited success we've had. Take him off the floor and we fall off a cliff.
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Crawfoso1973
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8:45a, 12/6/24
I don't disagree. Omier is for sure our MVP because we would have no way of replacing him if he were to get injured (knocks on wood). But I just think in a vacuum and aside from team needs, Wright might already be a better player even at their respective ages. I think his instincts and feel for the game is already as good or better than Butler or Davion were as seniors. He already has that crafty, old man feel for the game. It's hard to believe he is a freshman. Once he gets that grown-a$$ man strength that Davion and Butler had he will be an unstoppable force. I think we only will be able to enjoy him one more year and then he will be gone. He will have a long and fruitful NBA career even despite his lack of NBA measurables.
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to bear2be2 • 2:10p, 12/6/24
I mean it was a wash in the fact that neither played. So they weren't there for the tipoff nor the ending. No impact. Roach was there and then unfortunately not at the end when we could have used him.

Agree that Karaban is far advanced as a collegiate player compared to VJ, so we should have had a slight advantage going into the game.
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