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Baylor Basketball

Gameday Thread: Baylor Returns To Waco To Take On Cincinnati

January 6, 2025
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Baylor (9-4, 1-1) hosts Cincinnati (10-3, 0-2) on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. CST at Foster Pavilion. The game will be streamed on ESPN+

Predictions

KenPom: Baylor 72, Cincinnati 67

Torvik: Baylor 69, Cincinnati 65

Evan Miyakawa: Baylor 73, Cincinnati 70

Haslemetrics: Baylor 68, Cincinnati 65

Coaches

Cincinnati: Wes Miller (41) 258-181 (73-46 at Cincy); 2 NCAAs

Baylor: Scott Drew (54); 475-259 overall (455-248 at Baylor); 12 NCAAs; 5 Sweet 16s; 3 Elite 8s; FF; 1 National Championship

Head to Head: 2-0 Drew

Cincinnati Starters

  • Guard: Jizzle James (So.) 6-3 205 lbs; 12 ppg; 4 reb; 5 asst; 45% FG; 31% 3pt; 64% FT
  • Guard: Dan Skillings (Jr.) 6-6 210 lbs; 12 ppg; 5 reb; 42% FG; 30% 3pt; 82% FT
  • Forward: Simas Lukosius (Sr.) 6-8 225 lbs; 14 ppg; 3 reb; 3 asst; 46% FG; 41% 3pt; 85% FT
  • Forward: Dillon Mitchell (Jr.) 6-8 210 lbs; 12 ppg; 8 reb; 68% FG; 35% 3pt; 27% FT
  • Forward: Aziz Bandaogo (Sr.) 7-0 235 lbs; 9 ppg; 6 reb; 2 blks; 68% FG; 67% FT

Cincinnati Bench

  • Guard: Day Day Thomas (Sr.) 6-1 190 lbs; 8 ppg; 3 reb; 2 asst; 37% FG; 42% 3pt; 78% FT
  • Forward: Tyler Betsey (Fr.) 6-8 225 lbs; 4 ppg; 3 reb; 35% FG; 34% pt; 43% FT
  • Forward: Arringten Paige (So.) 6-11 240 lbs; 6 ppg; 3 reb; 57% FG; 50% 3pt; 65% FT

Baylor Starters

  • Guard: Jeremy Roach (Sr.) 6-2 180 lbs; 13 ppg; 4 asst; 44% FG; 39% 3pt; 75% FT
  • Guard: Jayden Nunn (Sr.) 6-4 190 lbs; 12 ppg; 3 reb; 43% FG; 49% 3pt; 58% FT
  • Guard: VJ Edgecombe (Fr.) 6-5 190 lbs; 12 ppg; 6 reb; 3 asst; 3 st; 40% FG; 29% 3pt 70% FT
  • Forward: Norchad Omier (Sr.) 6-7 245 lbs; 16 ppg; 11 reb; 2 steals; 59% FG; 21% 3pt; 72% FT
  • Forward: Josh Ojianwuna (Jr.) 6-10 255 lbs; 8 ppg; 7 reb; 78% FG; 64% FT

Baylor Bench

  • Guard: Langston Love (Jr.) 6-5 215 lbs; 7 ppg; 3 reb; 36% FG; 29% 3pt; 75% FT 
  • Forward: Jalen Celestine (Sr.) 6-7 215 lbs; 8 ppg; 3 reb; 39% FG; 38% 3pt; 100% FT
  • Guard: Rob Wright (Fr.) 6-1 180 lbs; 13 ppg; 5 asst; 48% FG; 41% 3pt; 77% FT
Discussion from...

Gameday Thread: Baylor Returns To Waco To Take On Cincinnati

6,434 Views | 100 Replies | Last: 37 min ago by TXBEAR_bf
IowaBear
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In reply to bear2be2 • 8:57p, 1/7/25
There's a lot of basketball to play. Doesn't change much. They're getting blown out by an Okie St team who's finishing near the bottom of the league. And just got beat by a TCU squad who's also finishing at or near the bottom. They've had the easiest 3 game stretch to start league play of any B12 team and are 1-2. That team isn't sniffing the NCAAS.
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Oldbear83
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8:57p, 1/7/25
Twenty point win over a better-than-you-may-think Cincy team is a nice evening for the Bears.
That which does not kill me, will try again and get nastier
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IowaBear
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8:59p, 1/7/25
Josh O with back to back double digit scoring games. Really nice bounce back win. Get 1 of the 2 out west and will be in a good spot
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Johnny Bear
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In reply to IowaBear • 9:00p, 1/7/25
IowaBear said:
Josh O with back to back double digit scoring games. Really nice bounce back win. Get 1 of the 2 out west and will be in a good spot

Hopefully whatever happened to him near the end of the game isn't going to be any kind of a nagging or serious injury.
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Big12Fan2024
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9:01p, 1/7/25
This was a fun game. I hope we have a lot more like this.
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Johnny Bear
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In reply to Oldbear83 • 9:02p, 1/7/25
Oldbear83 said:
Twenty point win over a better-than-you-may-think Cincy team is a nice evening for the Bears.

Agreed. Nice solid home win over at least a decent opponent (despite their 0-3 start in B12 play).
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bear2be2
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In reply to Johnny Bear • 9:04p, 1/7/25
Johnny Bear said:
IowaBear said:
Josh O with back to back double digit scoring games. Really nice bounce back win. Get 1 of the 2 out west and will be in a good spot

Hopefully whatever happened to him near the end of the game isn't going to be any kind of a nagging or serious injury.
He got injured on the possession before his final bucket, when he went to the ground. He came up from that limping and then was really limping after he scored.

Depth isn't just important in competitive games. It keeps you from playing -- and losing -- important players late in 20-point blowouts, too.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Johnny Bear • 9:07p, 1/7/25
Johnny Bear said:
Oldbear83 said:
Twenty point win over a better-than-you-may-think Cincy team is a nice evening for the Bears.

Agreed. Nice solid home win over at least a decent opponent (despite their 0-3 start in B12 play).
It was a great win, but I'm not sure Cincinnati is better than anyone thinks at this point. They played and feasted on a poor nonconference schedule and have looked pretty bad in Big 12 play. And with Kansas up next, they're probably staring at an 0-4 start to their conference schedule.
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Quinton
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9:23p, 1/7/25
First complete defensive game in a long, long time. Don't care that it's Cincinnati, holding a legitimate high D1 team under 50 is excellent.

Shot contests were so much better, Roach had more energy and much better footwork, VI is just a really good defender, Josh and Omier (defense) looked much improved.
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MrGolfguy
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9:32p, 1/7/25
W
I don't feel tardy
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to bear2be2 • 10:46p, 1/7/25
bear2be2 said:
Crawfoso1973 said:
We really need Celestine back. Zero inside depth and Omier always in foul trouble. Asemota showing good energy but so many mistakes. Josh O back to playing very poorly after an excellent game in Ames.
Unfortunately, Celestine doesn't provide depth inside. He's a 6-7 guard and a finesse one at that.
I know Celestine isn't an inside player, but in our rotation he plays the stretch 4 role for us. Josh O and Omier are both foul prone and now Josh is also injured and potentially missing games. The only silver lining is that Asemota looks like he is gradually acclimating and earning minutes.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 10:52p, 1/7/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
Seeing VJ on TV doesn't do justice for his athleticism. He looks even more athletic in person. He literally walks almost like a panther with a bounce in his step. He's one of the most athletic guys I've seen in person at Baylor. If his basketball skills ever equal his athleticism he'll be one of the best basketball players in the NBA.
Tonight was exactly how VJ needs to continue to play, getting downhill and attacking the rim. When he does that, he gains confidence in his jumper. I sure hope what we saw tonight is a blue print for the rest of his season.

What I love about VJ is he always plays hard defensively and on the boards even when his shot isn't falling. He does all the little things to help a team win. Another thing I like is that his game is not based all on athleticism. He brings the effort and grit of a blue collar role player.

Some of the criticism of him on these game threads is reckless and unwarranted to say the least.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 7:48a
Crawfoso1973 said:
bear2be2 said:
Crawfoso1973 said:
We really need Celestine back. Zero inside depth and Omier always in foul trouble. Asemota showing good energy but so many mistakes. Josh O back to playing very poorly after an excellent game in Ames.
Unfortunately, Celestine doesn't provide depth inside. He's a 6-7 guard and a finesse one at that.
I know Celestine isn't an inside player, but in our rotation he plays the stretch 4 role for us. Josh O and Omier are both foul prone and now Josh is also injured and potentially missing games. The only silver lining is that Asemota looks like he is gradually acclimating and earning minutes.
A stretch 4 that averages less than three rebounds per game and can't defend the paint is called a guard.

With or without him, we're playing four-guard lineups every time one of Omier or Josh O are off the floor.
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BearFan33
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8:02a
Pleased. Despite being short handed, the guys played well both on offense and defense. I agree that Asemota is contributing which is great as we need him now.
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IowaBear
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In reply to bear2be2 • 8:14a
Yeah we're desperately missing a backup center. Probably the biggest off season miss in recent memory.
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boognish_bear
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In reply to IowaBear • 8:42a
IowaBear said:
Yeah we're desperately missing a backup center. Probably the biggest off season miss in recent memory.


It's kind of mind-boggling to miss on something like that
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IowaBear
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In reply to boognish_bear • 8:43a
Very unusual of Drew. Can't remember a time he hasn't had 2 centers capable of logging meaningful minutes.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to IowaBear • 8:49a
IowaBear said:
Very unusual of Drew. Can't remember a time he hasn't had 2 centers capable of logging meaningful minutes.
We do have 2 centers capable of playing meaningful minutes, and their names are Josh O and Omier. Where we whiffed big time was on the stretch 4 replacement for Bridges. Celestine was a big miss, and Asemota isn't ready.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to bear2be2 • 8:50a
bear2be2 said:
Crawfoso1973 said:
bear2be2 said:
Crawfoso1973 said:
We really need Celestine back. Zero inside depth and Omier always in foul trouble. Asemota showing good energy but so many mistakes. Josh O back to playing very poorly after an excellent game in Ames.
Unfortunately, Celestine doesn't provide depth inside. He's a 6-7 guard and a finesse one at that.
I know Celestine isn't an inside player, but in our rotation he plays the stretch 4 role for us. Josh O and Omier are both foul prone and now Josh is also injured and potentially missing games. The only silver lining is that Asemota looks like he is gradually acclimating and earning minutes.
A stretch 4 that averages less than three rebounds per game and can't defend the paint is called a guard.

With or without him, we're playing four-guard lineups every time one of Omier or Josh O are off the floor.
I don't disagree nor am I arguing. Celestine was recruited to replace Bridges and was a huge miss. But without Celestine we are even thinner in the rotation.
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IowaBear
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 9:03a
Omier isn't a true 5 we all know that you included. Sure he can play the 5 when needed. It worked at Miami because the 4 guards on that squad were ridiculously talented at least from a college perspective. Norchad was brought in to play the 4. If Drew wanted him as a C he would be starting over Josh.
Doesn't change the fact that we missed on adding a true back up C. If Josh goes down at any point we're toast.
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boognish_bear
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9:20a
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to IowaBear • 9:33a
IowaBear said:
Omier isn't a true 5 we all know that you included. Sure he can play the 5 when needed. It worked at Miami because the 4 guards on that squad were ridiculously talented at least from a college perspective. Norchad was brought in to play the 4. If Drew wanted him as a C he would be starting over Josh.
Doesn't change the fact that we missed on adding a true back up C. If Josh goes down at any point we're toast.
Yep, I know Omier is not a true 5. But the plan this year was for Omier to split his minutes at the 4 with Celestine and at the 5 with Josh O. Celestine was brought in to replace Bridges at the stretch 4 but has been a huge dropoff. And I agree we should have brought in another big. In hindsight I'm sure our staff also agrees. I think they expected more from Asemota but he is not ready yet (although he has shown flashes the past couple games). Recruiting even experienced transfers like Celestine is far from an exact science. As good as our staff has been finding transfers over the years we have had our share of misses like Lohner and now Celestine. Unlike Lohner, at least Celestine does provide some semblance of production.
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IowaBear
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 9:49a
Definitely unfair to expect a staff to hit on every transfer for sure. Most not sure I understand the staffs philosophy on the why regarding this years transfers. Not saying Celestine can't contribute because he can clearly score against the lesser teams. Were going to at some point need him to contribute big minutes and likely be a factor in the scoring column against the better competition.
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Big12Fan2024
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10:11a
I keep wondering if the staff thought last Spring/Summer that Ndjonga was going to be able to contribute 10-15 minutes at the 4 this year, didn't decide to add anyone else in the front court and then something fell apart. We have no idea because I don't think I've ever seen a player be with a program for as long as he has (July '23) and it still feels like he's in the Witness Protection Program or something.
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bear2be2
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In reply to IowaBear • 10:12a
IowaBear said:
Definitely unfair to expect a staff to hit on every transfer for sure. Most not sure I understand the staffs philosophy on the why regarding this years transfers. Not saying Celestine can't contribute because he can clearly score against the lesser teams. Were going to at some point need him to contribute big minutes and likely be a factor in the scoring column against the better competition.
My issue with Celestine is that he's never been a forward. He's always been a tall guard. I'm not entirely sure why we thought we could make him something he's never been. With the number of guards we have on our roster, I don't understand why we didn't just recruit a power forward/post in that spot. A guy like Abou Ousmane would have made way more sense for our roster. Then we could play three guards and two bigs at all times.

With our current roster construction, it seems like we're playing four guards as often as not, which is not a recipe for defensive success.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 10:19a
Big12Fan2024 said:
I keep wondering if the staff thought last Spring/Summer that Ndjonga was going to be able to contribute 10-15 minutes at the 4 this year, didn't decide to add anyone else in the front court and then something fell apart. We have no idea because I don't think I've ever seen a player be with a program for as long as he has (July '23) and it still feels like he's in the Witness Protection Program or something.
I heard somewhere that he's redshirting. That would probably make sense is he's not fully recovered from his knee injury.
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to bear2be2 • 10:21a
I guess that would make sense. He used his regular redshirt year last year (23-24), but this could be a medical redshirt or vice versa.
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william
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11:38a
dale 2028
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boognish_bear
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12:14p
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TXBEAR_bf
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1:27p
I actually think D Wade would struggle a bit in today's NBA.He was probably close to 6'3. He did lead the league for blocked shots under 6'4. VJ is a little taller so that helps, but his shot is nowhere close to Wade's. Based on current shot form it will be tough, but possible. Leonard with the Spurs is an example of a player that drastically improved his shot.
Bear living in the woods of Bend Oregon
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