BearFan33 said:

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So I heard we are implementing a new defense. Anyone know anything about it? I'm sure we will execute it better as the season goes on.

I was happy to see less free drives to the basket. Wash scored on a lot of pull up and fades which are harder to hit then a layup. After getting abused a bit on iso plays with Rataj on their big guy, we adjusted and stopped it for the most part.

I was so happy to see a return of the slip screen. We used to get so many easy (and exciting) points from that when Acy was wearing the BU.

Oh and rebounding was a problem. As other's have mentioned. the lack of size hurt us a bit.

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Levi described it recently:

https://sicem365.com/s/20353/bears-clamp-down-baylors-new-look-defense-is-bringing-the-joy-back-to-waco

NWASicem said:

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Why are there only eight players on the roster? I know they had transfer losses but couldn't they get a roster of 12 to 13 guys? Will it stay at eight for the rest of the season?

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We have a couple key preseason injuries that hurt the roster, Bodo Bodo in particular.

We still have a lot to prove… but I'm just liking that it is even a focus and seems to be top of mind for the team.

Forward Michael Rataj on what Baylor's defensive ceiling is🏀👇

"I think our ceiling is the best defense in the country. I've never played with guys being that capable of defending a basketball that well."#SicEm🐻 pic.twitter.com/7oz9dlXgAQ

— Baylor Bears on SicEm365 (@SicEm365) November 14, 2025

How many on the current roster can return next year? Defense was atrocious last night against Tarleton State - it could get ugly this year in conference play.

BluesBear said:

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How many on the current roster can return next year? Defense was atrocious last night against Tarleton State - it could get ugly this year in conference play.

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I didn't catch the game, but watched the condensed replay. I definitely wouldn't call our defense "atrocious"… unless you're talking about last year.

The improvements in length and scheme are clearly benefiting us. When Agbim Lebroned their layup attempt, my first thought was, "Last year, that would be the equivalent of Jayden Nunn pulling that off." Ain't no way.

We're taller, deeper, and better coached on defense this year. Last night was just an NBA/professional trajectory player (Johnson) getting hot and taking over.

So, my take is the opposite of yours: I'm excited about our defense for the first time in a long time.

Atrocious is in the eyes of the beholder, but we gave up 81 points and 42 to a single player from Tarleton State! For good measure, we got outrebounded 34-21 and gave up 18 offensive rebounds. The key to this season may be getting Bodo on the court. We have zero interior defense and while I understand that Powell has the flu and could not play his usual allotment of minutes, Radaj was a non-factor and Skilling just does not have the size/strength to bang bodies. Cam Carr and Yessoufou are elite talents, but we are going to need to jell defensively and hopefully get our best defensive player on the court to be a Sweet 16 contender.

For some reason, we can't rebound out of this defense - maybe we just haven't figured out how to play it correctly - I don't know - but giving up 81 to Tarelton State and getting man handled on the boards was down right embarrassing.

Worst case too.. Carr is flashing way too much and the team might not be good enough to take advantage of it .

Would be very high on the future if they can get him another year, less and less likely every game. Which is how the program got stuck in this cycle to begin with

Quinton said:

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Worst case too.. Carr is flashing way too much and the team might not be good enough to take advantage of it .

Would be very high on the future if they can get him another year, less and less likely every game. Which is how the program got stuck in this cycle to begin with

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Yep I am already thinking Carr is for sure gone. Gotta hope we can hang onto solid role players like Williams to build around. If he keeps playing at this level other programs will throw $ at him.

BluesBear said:

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How many on the current roster can return next year? Defense was atrocious last night against Tarleton State - it could get ugly this year in conference play.

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Let's not get carried away. Johnson went on an Allen Iverson heater last night. It happens every once in awhile in basketball. Dude simply couldn't miss - especially in the 2nd half when he was forced into many tough/contested shots. This team will be fine. Hopefully Bodo can come back and contribute as I do think they will struggle to rebound consistently without him.

Defense is significantly improved from last year but still needs work. IIRC, one of the announcers said something about the team still learning the new scheme. If that's all it is then a few more games should work out the kinks.

We know it could be better when we see our opponents scoring lots of points. The two non-P5 opponents we played each had 81 points. A great defense would not have allowed them to score much over 60.

I remember the Villanova game a few years ago when our D held them to the lowest shore under Jay Wright. That was excellent defense!

Johnny Bear said:

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historian said:

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Defense is significantly improved from last year but still needs work. IIRC, one of the announcers said something about the team still learning the new scheme. If that's all it is then a few more games should work out the kinks.

We know it could be better when we see our opponents scoring lots of points. The two non-P5 opponents we played each had 81 points. A great defense would not have allowed them to score much over 60.

I remember the Villanova game a few years ago when our D held them to the lowest shore under Jay Wright. That was excellent defense!

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That Villanova game you're referring to was the best 40 minutes of team defense I've ever seen a BU men's bball team play and was at least as good as any other 40 minutes of team defense I've ever seen at the collegiate level, period.

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That team was terrifyingly good at full strength. I legitimately think that team could have been better than the 2021 team that won it all. People forget that Villanova team that we absolutely mudholed went on to make the Final Four.

So many freshman are flashing, that there is a chance. I've seen mixed bag of high 2nd round to late 1st round projections.

It's very early but next year with another good run he could be a lottery guy as the class isn't nearly as deep

Johnny Bear said:

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historian said:

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Defense is significantly improved from last year but still needs work. IIRC, one of the announcers said something about the team still learning the new scheme. If that's all it is then a few more games should work out the kinks.

We know it could be better when we see our opponents scoring lots of points. The two non-P5 opponents we played each had 81 points. A great defense would not have allowed them to score much over 60.

I remember the Villanova game a few years ago when our D held them to the lowest shore under Jay Wright. That was excellent defense!

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That Villanova game you're referring to was the best 40 minutes of team defense I've ever seen a BU men's bball team play and was at least as good as any other 40 minutes of team defense I've ever seen at the collegiate level, period.

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It also was an extremely fun game! And it was very loud at the FC

Good point. I had forgotten

Quinton said:

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So many freshman are flashing, that there is a chance. I've seen mixed bag of high 2nd round to late 1st round projections.

It's very early but next year with another good run he could be a lottery guy as the class isn't nearly as deep

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Carr already solidified as a top 14 lotto pick this year IMO. I don't think anything will slow his metioric rise. How was Tennessee such morons the way they handled him? Tounde is also gone but would actually benefit from another year. He is so limited offensively and is being exposed every time he steps on the floor. I think he might be sliding into the second round as the holes in his offensive game continue to be exposed.

I am already preparing myself to lose Williams too. He just gets better and better every game. We will need to back up the Brinks truck or he is good as gone too...he will command a huge payday. Utah paid Wright 3.5 million but Williams is better.

I think he's pretty much locked out of the top 7/8 because the projections on this class are so high. Is he the next 7?.. I don't know. There are just so many players flashing big this year. Will be interesting.

For Williams, if they can't hold onto a really nice piece they took a shot on, I don't even know what's the point. I doubt that happens but you can't lose guys like that

Following Baylor's loss to St. John's, the Bears held a players-only meeting. Listen to what Dan Skillings has to say about it🐻⤵️

“I think the players’ meeting is going to help us in the long run this season ... When things are going rough or not going our way, or when… pic.twitter.com/nHERDne1Yp

— Baylor Bears on SicEm365 (@SicEm365) December 3, 2025