Baylor Basketball

Game Thread: Baylor Men's Basketball Open Season against UT Rio Grande Valley

Head coach Scott Drew and Baylor men’s basketball open the season against the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros
By Ashley Hodge
November 1, 2025
30k Views
138 Comments
Story Poster
Photo by Jack Mackenzie - SicEm365

WACO, Texas – Head coach Scott Drew and Baylor men’s basketball open the season against the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros on Monday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m. CT, at Foster Pavilion. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Computer Models

  • Torvik: Baylor (35), UTRGV (236)
    • Projected Score: Baylor 86-63
  • Haslametrics: Baylor (19), UTRGV (247)
    • Projected Score: Baylor 85-62
  • KenPom: Baylor (17), UTRGV (247)
    • Projected Score: Baylor 89-63
  • Evan Miyakawa: Baylor (32), UTRGV (257)
    • Projected Score: Baylor 90-64

Projected Lineups

Baylor Starters

  • Guard: Obi Agbim (5Sr., Wyoming) 6-3, 185
  • Guard: Tounde Yessoufou (Fr.) 6-5, 215
  • Forward: Cameron Carr (RSo., Tennessee) 6-5, 175
  • Forward: Dan Skillings (Sr., Cincinnati) 6-6, 200
  • Forward: Michael Rataj (Sr., Oregon State) 6-8, 230

Baylor Bench

  • Center: Caden Powell (Sr., Rice) 6-9, 225
  • Guard: JJ White (5Sr., Omaha) 6-1, 195 
  • Guard: Isaac Williams IV (So., Texas A&M Corpus Christi) 6-1, 190
  • Forward: Mayo Soyoye (Fr.) 6-10, 235 

Projected Lineups

UTRGV Starters

  • Guard: Always Wright (Jr., Rhode Island) 6-3, 180
  • Guard: Marvin McGhee III (Sr., CSU Bakersfield) 6-4, 195
  • Forward: Koree Cotton (Jr., Jacksonville State) 6-6, 210
  • Forward: Kwo Agwa (Sr., Texas A&M Commerce) 6-6, 220
  • Forward: Marshall Destremau (Jr., Clarendon College) 6-9, 250

UTRGV Bench

  • Guard: Zae Blake (Sr., Wagner) 6-1, 180
  • Guard: Jaylen Washington (So) 5-10, 166

Other Preseason Basketball Content:

  • 10 Predictions for Baylor Basketball: Tournament Finish, Defensive Improvement, Team MVP
  • MBB Season Preview: How Baylor's Guard Play Will Determine Ceiling of Drew's New Roster
  • Basketball Season Preview: Why Baylor's Wings Will be the Strength of This Year's Roster
  • Basketball Season Preview: Baylor Enters 2025-2026 with Big Questions in Frontcourt
  • The Bear Cast: Baylor Basketball Practice Insight, Breakout Players, Recruiting Evaluations
138 Comments
Tags
Scott Drew Game Thread Baylor vs. Texas Rio Grande Valley Basketball Baylor Texas Rio Grande Valley 2025
More Basketball
See All →
The Bear Cast: Previewing Baylor Basketball at Memphis
By SicEm365 Staff
Game Thread: Baylor Faces First True Road Test in Memphis
By Ashley Hodge
Rebuilding Culture and Connection: The Essential Qualities for Baylor’s Next AD
By SicEm365 Staff
Wingspan Wednesday: Vegas Takeaways, Injury Updates and the Latest on Mingo
By Ashley Hodge
Discussion from...

Game Thread: Baylor Men's Basketball Open Season against UT Rio Grande Valley

13,017 Views | 138 Replies | Last: 1 mo ago by Quinton
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:16p, 11/3/25
Good Skillings has always been really good.
Reply Quote
2
Bearsalwayswin
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:20p, 11/3/25
toads down 16 at halftime at home….to new orleans
Reply Quote
1 edit
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:23p, 11/3/25
For anyone not able to watch:

Baylor 61
UTRG 45

15:03 to go

Carr with 16
Yessoufou 15
Agbim 14
Skillings 11
Reply Quote
2
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:24p, 11/3/25
There's the tradeoff with Carr right there. You're gonna get a few TOs but he's gonna get the ball back just as many times with those long arms getting steals.
Reply Quote
Quinton
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 8:27p, 11/3/25
I agree, I'm not knocking him for that. Just setting the expectation not to kill White if he can't do what he can't do. I fully expect him to drop 15 in a random game through hot shooting.

But his defense and ball skills probably aren't going to translate great at this level.
Reply Quote
1
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:28p, 11/3/25
Controlled Yessoufou is really, really, really good.
Reply Quote
2
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:29p, 11/3/25
Koa Peat finishes with 30 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and a block in his first game as a freshman as #13 Arizona beats #3 Florida 93-87. Would've been nice if he had chosen us!
Reply Quote
2
1 edit
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Quinton • 8:31p, 11/3/25
Correct. I think both he and Williams are more in the Dale Bonner role of contributing, and may have a surprise game or two.
Reply Quote
1
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:32p, 11/3/25
I'm hoping we get to see Soyoye before this is over.
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 8:34p, 11/3/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
Correct. I think both he and Williams are more in the Dale Bonner role of contributing, and may have a surprise game or two.

I like Williams' skill set. He can't shoot, but he doesn't try to. He just gets into the paint and makes things happen for himself and teammates.
Reply Quote
1
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:34p, 11/3/25
King just called TCU one of the 3 sleepers in the Big 12.

Someone tell King to wake up TCU because they're losing 60-44 to New Orleans right now.
Reply Quote
4
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 8:34p, 11/3/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
I'm hoping we get to see Soyoye before this is over.

I think he may be hurt. That was the word on my Baylor group text.
Reply Quote
1
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 8:35p, 11/3/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
Controlled Yessoufou is really, really, really good.

Yeah, I've never had my opinion of a player change quicker. Haha. I was ready to hate his game after the first five or six minutes.

But watching him pass up a stepback 3 and make a great cut for a layup has me loving him now.
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
Bearsalwayswin
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:35p, 11/3/25
we turn the ball over a lot
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Bearsalwayswin • 8:36p, 11/3/25
Bearsalwayswin said:
we turn the ball over a lot

We play very fast. Too fast sometimes. But I like this team's tempo.
Reply Quote
1
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bear2be2 • 8:37p, 11/3/25
Oh wow. Didn't realize that. Do we have an injury curse with bigs? Sheesh.
Reply Quote
1 edit
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:40p, 11/3/25
Carr is gonna make a lot of money playing college basketball for someone (hopefully us) next year.
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 8:40p, 11/3/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
Carr is gonna make a lot of money playing college basketball for someone (hopefully us) next year.

He's legit. The preseason hype was justified with that guy.
Reply Quote
1
WA Jim
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:40p, 11/3/25
I would prefer to see some defensive improvements - sadly, no - I lost count of how many guys we let drive baseline and shoot or dish
Reply Quote
IowaBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to WA Jim • 8:43p, 11/3/25
Defense is going to give up a few hundo burgers this year
Reply Quote
1
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:45p, 11/3/25
Scoring update:


Baylor 76
UTRG 63

7:28 to go


Carr with 24 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks and an assist
Yessoufou with 18, 4 rebounds
Skillings 11 points, 7 rebounds
Agbim 14 points
Reply Quote
2
1 edit
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:47p, 11/3/25
Sunday night should be an interesting study to see our adjustments. Washington is tall across the front line -- 6-11, 6-11, 6-9 and with a super athletic guard in Wesley Yates.
Reply Quote
1 edit
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:52p, 11/3/25
What high school team does King coach?
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:53p, 11/3/25
I like Powell and Williams as role players. Those guys are exactly what you want in blue collar roles.
Reply Quote
IowaBear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 8:53p, 11/3/25
They have Desmond Claude as well who imo is better than Yates
Reply Quote
Quinton
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 8:54p, 11/3/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
Correct. I think both he and Williams are more in the Dale Bonner role of contributing, and may have a surprise game or two.


I actually like Williams. He's just a project since he's so raw. I think he can be pretty good next year and a decent contributor this year.

I like his athleticism and instincts better than Bonner.
Reply Quote
1 edit
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:54p, 11/3/25
Rataj has been pretty disappointing so far. It's very early, but he and White look like they might be recruiting misses at this point.
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Quinton • 8:54p, 11/3/25
Quinton said:
Big12Fan2024 said:
Correct. I think both he and Williams are more in the Dale Bonner role of contributing, and may have a surprise game or two.


I actually like Williams. He's just a project since he's so raw. I think he can be pretty good next year. I like his athleticism and instincts better than Bonner.

I liked Bonner, too. But the good thing about Williams is he can get into the paint pretty much at will. That has value.
Reply Quote
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bear2be2 • 8:55p, 11/3/25
I'd like to trade Rataj for 1 more year of Norchad. Man I wish we could have had him for more than 1 year!
Reply Quote
1
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:56p, 11/3/25
Rataj just doesn't look like the guy I thought we were getting. If you're going to be as unathletic as he is, you've got to have elite skill, and he hasn't shown that yet.

I hope he figures it out because we're likely going to need him to.
Reply Quote
1 edit
Quinton
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bear2be2 • 8:57p, 11/3/25
bear2be2 said:
Quinton said:
Big12Fan2024 said:
Correct. I think both he and Williams are more in the Dale Bonner role of contributing, and may have a surprise game or two.


I actually like Williams. He's just a project since he's so raw. I think he can be pretty good next year. I like his athleticism and instincts better than Bonner.

I liked Bonner, too. But the good thing about Williams is he can get into the paint pretty much at will. That has value.


I remember. I was never high on Bonner. I think Williams has a much better chance to translate with a lot of development. Drew took a flyer on the guy and I think it's a good bet.
Reply Quote
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
8:57p, 11/3/25
Only 10 TOs for the Bears tonight. That's a good sign, much better than last year and under Drew's goal of 12 max (although we have a few more minutes to go).
Reply Quote
bear2be2
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 8:58p, 11/3/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
Only 10 TOs for the Bears tonight. That's a good sign, much better than last year and under Drew's goal of 12 max (although we have a few more minutes to go).

We're playing at a much faster tempo than last year, too, so the turnover number is encouraging.
Reply Quote
Big12Fan2024
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to IowaBear • 9:00p, 11/3/25
Yes. Forgot all about him!
Reply Quote
Johnny Bear
User Profile
Private Message
Ignore User Stop Ignoring
How long do you want to ignore this user?
24 hours One week Permanently Cancel
In reply to bear2be2 • 9:01p, 11/3/25
bear2be2 said:
Rataj just doesn't look like the guy I thought we were getting. If you're going to be as unathletic as he is, you've got to have elite skill, and he hasn't shown that yet.

I hope he figures it out because we're likely going to need him to.

It's one game, but thoroughly unimpressed with Rataj and that surprises me. Thought he was supposed to be a hoss.
Reply Quote
1
1 edit
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.