Baylor Basketball

Game Thread: Baylor Opens Players Era Festival against Creighton

Baylor men’s basketball (3-0) will open the Player Era Festival against the Creighton Blue Jays (3-1) on Monday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. CT, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
By Ashley Hodge
November 23, 2025
31k Views
154 Comments
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Photo by Jack Mackenzie - SicEm365.com

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Baylor men’s basketball (3-0) will open the Player Era Festival against the Creighton Blue Jays (3-1) on Monday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. CT, at Michelob Ultra Arena. The game will be televised on TruTV. 

Computer Models

  • Torvik: Baylor (40), Creighton (32)
    • Projected Score: Creighton 76-74
  • Haslametrics: Baylor (24), Creighton (38)
    • Projected Score: Baylor 76-74
  • KenPom: Baylor (22), Creighton (49)
    • Projected Score: Baylor 80-76
  • Evan Miyakawa: Baylor (44), Creighton (48)
    • Projected Score: Baylor 77-76

Projected Lineups

Baylor Starters

  • Guard: Obi Agbim (5Sr.) 6-3, 185 (11 ppg; 6 asst)
  • Guard: Tounde Yessoufou (Fr.) 6-5, 215 (16 ppg; 5 reb)
  • Forward: Cameron Carr (RSo.) 6-5, 175 (24 ppg; 4 reb)
  • Forward: Dan Skillings (Sr.) 6-7, 200 (13 ppg; 6 reb)
  • Forward: Michael Rataj (Sr.) 6-8, 230 (7 ppg; 5 reb)

Baylor Bench

  • Center: Caden Powell (Sr.) 6-9, 225 (6 ppg; 5 reb)
  • Guard: JJ White (5Sr.) 6-1, 195 (2 ppg)
  • Guard: Isaac Williams IV (So.) 6-1, 190 (10 ppg; 3 asst)

Projected Lineups

Creighton Starters

  • Guard: Nik Graves (Sr.) 6-2, 190 (11 ppg; 4 asst)
  • Guard: Josh Dix (Sr.) 6-6, 205 (11 ppg; 3 reb)
  • Forward: Blake Harper (So.) 6-7, 220 (13 ppg; 8 reb)
  • Forward: Jasen Green (Jr.) 6-8, 235 (8 ppg; 4 reb)
  • Forward: Owen Freeman (Sr.) 6-10, 240 (11 ppg; 6 reb)

Creighton Bench

  • Guard: Fedor Zugic (Jr.) 6-6, 225 (3 ppg)
  • Guard: Hudson Greer (Fr.) 6-7, 215 (7 reb)
154 Comments
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Scott Drew Baylor-Creighton Player Era Festival Baylor vs. Creighton Basketball Baylor Creighton 2025
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Game Thread: Baylor Opens Players Era Festival against Creighton

13,189 Views | 154 Replies | Last: 8 days ago by historian
Big12Fan2024
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3:08p, 11/24/25
Happy Birthday CAM!!!!!

All 5 starters for the Bears finish in double figures.
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IowaBear
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3:09p, 11/24/25
Really good win! Tomm will be a much tougher test. Hopefully the clones wear down the Johnnie's a bit
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bear2be2
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In reply to IowaBear • 3:11p, 11/24/25
IowaBear said:
Really good win! Tomm will be a much tougher test. Hopefully the clones wear down the Johnnie's a bit

Tomorrow's going to be a shootout. There are going to be a ton of points scored in that one.
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IowaBear
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In reply to bear2be2 • 3:13p, 11/24/25
Ejofor worries me. Wouldn't be such a concern for me if we had Juslin
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Big12Fan2024
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3:18p, 11/24/25
Seth Davis, who I normally don't care much for, just made an important point. The first half we were a 3 point shooting team because they gave us the openings. Creighton dialed up the D a bit better in the 2nd half, and we were able to turn into a 2 point team. Speaks highly of being able to morph into what is needed.

Gonna have to be on our game tomorrow and play really physical. Ejiofor is gonna be a beast for us to handle inside so outrebounding them won't be easy.
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Hotsauce
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3:19p, 11/24/25
Props to Skillings for keeping us afloat w/ the tip-ins and rebounds when Creighton started cooking.

Carr is amazing.
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Johnny Bear
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3:23p, 11/24/25
If this defensive and rebounding effort is a sign of things to come it's going to be a fun season - because I'm confident scoring points isn't going to be a problem.
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BUBradley
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3:39p, 11/24/25
I absolutely love this team. With no expectations, there is a calmness that has radiated from the team all the way to the fans.

When we get Bodo Bodo back, we can be something even more special than we already are. I can't wait to watch their games this year, win or lose. I am a big fan of this team!
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bear2be2
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In reply to BUBradley • 3:41p, 11/24/25
BUBradley said:
I absolutely love this team. With no expectations, there is a calmness that has radiated from the team all the way to the fans.

When we get Bodo Bodo back, we can be something even more special than we already are. I can't wait to watch their games this year, win or lose. I am a big fan of this team!

I'm the same way. I loved this roster as we were building it.

It's a balanced, blue-collar squad that has gotten unexpected star power from Cameron Carr.

I honestly like everything about this bunch. If we had a second big, I think we'd be really, really good. But as is, I still love the way these guys compete.
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boognish_bear
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 3:47p, 11/24/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
Yessoufou reminds me of watching the Tasmanian Devil as a kid. Arms and legs are flailling, body is contorted, one minute he's in the air, next minute he's on the floor then up and running down the court. Then proceeds to make some acrobatic move while never seeming to be in control. He's like a whirlwind.


That's funny...I had that exact thought in my head about the Tasmanian Devil watching him today. His engine is always redlining. Sometimes a little out of control and reckless...but crazy athletic and full effort.
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bear2be2
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In reply to IowaBear • 3:48p, 11/24/25
IowaBear said:
Ejofor worries me. Wouldn't be such a concern for me if we had Juslin

He's a stud. And they'll probably whip us on the boards. But we showed against Washington that losing the rebounding battle doesn't doom us to defeat. We'll just have to be on our game offensively.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 3:49p, 11/24/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
Yessoufou reminds me of watching the Tasmanian Devil as a kid. Arms and legs are flailling, body is contorted, one minute he's in the air, next minute he's on the floor then up and running down the court. Then proceeds to make some acrobatic move while never seeming to be in control. He's like a whirlwind.

Yessefou kind of drives me crazy, but he does a lot of good things around the frustrating out-of-control ones.

The one thing Yessefou has that our previous frustrating one-and-dones didn't is depth at his position to ride the bench when he's hurting the team. And Drew has used that to hold him accountable in a way he couldn't do with some of the blue chip guards we have had.

I think as Tounde learns what he can and can't get away with at this level, he'll improve into a really good player for us. But I'm really glad we're not relying on him to be a first or second option and can sit him when it makes sense to do so.
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Stefano DiMera
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3:59p, 11/24/25
Pitino gonna be out for blood tomorrow.

Still pissed about the gamesmanship by Drew icing the free throw shooter late by asking for a possible elbow to be reviewed.

Pitino called it 'unethitical'.

When Pitino is a moral compass ...
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LIB,MR BEARS
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4:06p, 11/24/25
I'm really liking the improvements on D and the constant energy.

Powell is probably the least athletic of the bunch and yet he finds a way to contribute in a big way each game.

I'm really liking what I see so far.
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to boognish_bear • 4:11p, 11/24/25
He's like a movie you can't stop watching because you don't know what's coming next but you know it's likely to be spectacular. He's incredibly athletic, yet unpolished (as most freshmen would be). You may see a steal and a dunk that brings down the gym, or a dribble or pass right into an opposing player. But you can always be guaranteed it will be at 100+% motion and effort. I REALLY enjoy watching him.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 4:14p, 11/24/25
Big12Fan2024 said:
He's like a movie you can't stop watching because you don't know what's coming next but you know it's likely to be spectacular. He's incredibly athletic, yet unpolished (as most freshmen would be). You may see a steal and a dunk that brings down the gym, or a dribble or pass right into an opposing player. But you can always be guaranteed it will be at 100+% motion and effort. I REALLY enjoy watching him.

His motor makes some of the more frustrating aspects of his game more palatable because you know he's always giving 100 percent effort. There is no loaf whatsoever in that dude, and his impact on the defensive end is pretty substantial because of it.
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to bear2be2 • 4:16p, 11/24/25
Yes, I think this team's composition is gonna be the perfect fit for him. I don't think he's ready to play controlled enough to be the dependable leading guy, but he adds so athleticism he can contribute in a number of ways. If he's playing well, Drew can stick with him. If it's a night where those frosh mistakes become enhanced, then Drew can pull him and let him learn then put him out there again. I don't have any inside scoop but he seems like a guy who is willing to learn.

I think at times some of the control challeges are simply him being used to having to carry an entire team in high school and not fully immersed yet at a higher level where he is surrounded by guys who can help him. He's not selfish by any stretch of the imagination. He just forces a shot every now and then because it looks like he believes he has to carry the team.
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to Stefano DiMera • 4:20p, 11/24/25
Stefano DiMera said:
Pitino gonna be out for blood tomorrow.

Still pissed about the gamesmanship by Drew icing the free throw shooter late by asking for a possible elbow to be reviewed.

Pitino called it 'unethitical'.

When Pitino is a moral compass ...

Not to mention that 2016 Battle for Atlantis game where he and Louisville had us down at one point 32-12 and we came back in a 2nd half flurry to win.
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BearBuck
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In reply to bear2be2 • 4:44p, 11/24/25
bear2be2 said:
Big12Fan2024 said:
Echo the fun part. No idea where we will end up but I know this bunch will give 100% and make it fun trying.

The thing I love about this team is there's not a single player on it who goes into any game looking to get his. We truly try to find the open guy most possessions, so our shot selection is generally good.

We also have a ton of complementary parts with different skill sets that mesh well together.

That's a bit of a departure from what we've had since the 2022 squad. And a welcome one in my book.

So many games the past few seasons have been frustrating. Remember the games last year where we'd go 10 minutes without scoring. Our guys were kinda mental. This group isn't like that. That and the defensive pressure make them fun. And likable. Great job coach Drew!
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BearBuck
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In reply to Johnny Bear • 4:47p, 11/24/25
Johnny Bear said:
Caden Powell!!

He's our secret sauce off the bench
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boognish_bear
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4:55p, 11/24/25
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boognish_bear
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4:55p, 11/24/25
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DP4LIFE
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In reply to Stefano DiMera • 5:10p, 11/24/25
Stefano DiMera said:
Pitino gonna be out for blood tomorrow.

Still pissed about the gamesmanship by Drew icing the free throw shooter late by asking for a possible elbow to be reviewed.

Pitino called it 'unethitical'.

When Pitino is a moral compass ...

There's no universe where Pitino and "ethical" have any correlation.
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bear2be2
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In reply to BearBuck • 5:12p, 11/24/25
BearBuck said:
Johnny Bear said:
Caden Powell!!

He's our secret sauce off the bench

He and Williams are both perfect bench/role players.
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boognish_bear
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5:14p, 11/24/25
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to bear2be2 • 5:43p, 11/24/25
bear2be2 said:
Big12Fan2024 said:
Yessoufou reminds me of watching the Tasmanian Devil as a kid. Arms and legs are flailling, body is contorted, one minute he's in the air, next minute he's on the floor then up and running down the court. Then proceeds to make some acrobatic move while never seeming to be in control. He's like a whirlwind.

Yessefou kind of drives me crazy, but he does a lot of good things around the frustrating out-of-control ones.

The one thing Yessefou has that our previous frustrating one-and-dones didn't is depth at his position to ride the bench when he's hurting the team. And Drew has used that to hold him accountable in a way he couldn't do with some of the blue chip guards we have had.

I think as Tounde learns what he can and can't get away with at this level, he'll improve into a really good player for us. But I'm really glad we're not relying on him to be a first or second option and can sit him when it makes sense to do so.

To be fair, I only saw one poor shot attempt by Yessafou and that was when he tried to make himself a one man fast break and took it against 3 guys by himself. Drew quickly yanked him after that sequence. In general, he seems more than willing to defer to Carr, Obi and others on the offensive end. He missed a few runners and floaters in the lane that were good attempts and not forced, they just weren't dropping for him today.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to BearBuck • 5:44p, 11/24/25
BearBuck said:
Johnny Bear said:
Caden Powell!!

He's our secret sauce off the bench

I'm not saying Powell is as good as Everyday John was back in his prime, but same type of hustle player. Energy player we have been missing for the past few seasons.
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vanillabryce
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5:45p, 11/24/25
This team plays like a team.

They play hard, and it's fun to watch.
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to Johnny Bear • 5:47p, 11/24/25
Johnny Bear said:
If this defensive and rebounding effort is a sign of things to come it's going to be a fun season - because I'm confident scoring points isn't going to be a problem.

I agree we can score and defend. Kryptonite will be PG play. Williams is solid in spurts and Obi is more of a scoring guard. In tight games like today I think we will be in for an adventure as far as handling high pressure situations to close out games. You need elite guard play in those situations as the competitition ratchets up.
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boognish_bear
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In reply to vanillabryce • 6:01p, 11/24/25
vanillabryce said:
This team plays like a team.

They play hard, and it's fun to watch.


Major props to Drew for assembling this group...and more importantly creating a strong team culture and chemistry so quickly.

I didn't know what to expect with team chemistry/culture with zero guys returning...but they already seem like a tight knit group that pulls for each other and everyone is happy to share the ball. No apparent egos and a commitment to defense. That's a winning combo.
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GruntTuff
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6:03p, 11/24/25
I loved watching our new defensive coach from Virginia holding court with the guys during a late game timeout. Our defense is night and day versus the past two years.

I'm not worried about point guard. Other than Powell, everyone we run out on the floor can handle the ball. Our floor movement was good.
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boognish_bear
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6:07p, 11/24/25
Sounds like rebounding was a focus of practice last week

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Stefano DiMera
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In reply to GruntTuff • 6:47p, 11/24/25
The thing that impresses me about Powell is he always keeps the ball high.

He never brings it down below his waist. Drives me crazy to see big men do that at nullify their height advantage.
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boognish_bear
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7:33p, 11/24/25
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PacificBear
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7:38p, 11/24/25
Props to Drew! Amazing what he did from scratch.
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