Baylor Basketball

Game Thread: Nnaji Expected to Debut as Baylor Basketball Opens Big 12 play at TCU

Baylor men's basketball (10-2) travels to TCU (10-3) to open up Big 12 conference play on Saturday, January 3rd at 1 p.m., CT. The game will be televised on TNT.
By Ashley Hodge
January 1, 2026
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161 Comments
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Photo by Jack Mackenzie - SicEm365.com

FORT WORTH, Texas – Baylor men's basketball (10-2) travels to TCU (10-3) to open up Big 12 conference play on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 1 p.m., CT. The game will be televised on TNT.  

Computer Models

  • Torvik: Baylor (41), TCU (50)
    • Prediction:TCU 81, Baylor 78
  • KenPom: Baylor (30), TCU (54)
    • Prediction: TCU 79, Baylor 78
  • Haslametrics: Baylor (32), TCU (60)
    • Prediction: Baylor 79, TCU 78
  • Evan Miyakawa: Baylor (36), TCU (41)
    • Prediction: TCU 81, Baylor 77
  • Massey: Baylor (23), TCU (49)
    • Prediction: Baylor 74, TCU 72

Projected Lineups

Baylor Starters

  • Guard: Obi Agbim (5Sr.) 6-3, 185 (12 ppg; 4 asst)
  • Guard: Tounde Yessoufou (Fr.) 6-5, 215 (19 ppg; 6 reb; 2 steals)
  • Forward: Cameron Carr (RSo.) 6-5, 175 (21 ppg; 6 reb; 2 blks)
  • Forward: Dan Skillings (Sr.) 6-7, 200 (12 ppg; 7 reb; 3 asst)
  • Forward: Michael Rataj (Sr.) 6-8, 230 (10 ppg; 7 reb; 3 asst)

Baylor Bench

  • Center: Caden Powell (Sr.) 6-9, 225 (7 ppg; 9 reb)
  • Guard: Isaac Williams IV (So.) 6-1, 190 (12 ppg; 3 asst)
  • Center: James Nnaji (Fr.) 7-0 250 (31st pick in 2023 NBA draft)

Projected Lineups

TCU Starters

  • Guard: Brock Harding (Sr.) 6-0, 160 (9 ppg; 6 asst)
  • Guard: Jayden Pierre (Sr.) 6-0, 180 (11 ppg; 2 asst)
  • Forward: Liutaurus Lelevicius (Jr.) 6-7, 225 (8 ppg; 4 reb)
  • Forward: David Punch (So.) 6-7, 245 (14 ppg; 8 reb)
  • Forward: Xavier Edmonds (Jr.) 6-8, 245 (11 ppg; 4 reb)

TCU Bench

  • Guard: Micah Robinson (So.) 6-6, 230 (10 ppg; 5 reb)
  • Guard: Tanner Tolson (Jr.) 6-5, 195 (7 ppg; 3 reb)
  • Guard: Jace Posey (So.) 6-5, 220 (6 ppg; 3 reb)
161 Comments
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Discussion from...

Game Thread: Nnaji Expected to Debut as Baylor Basketball Opens Big 12 play at TCU

17,267 Views | 161 Replies | Last: 25 days ago by bear2be2
IowaBear
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3:08p, 1/3/26
By far my biggest gripe with Drew. He lets his teams play way too much hero/iso ball. Killed all momentum when they cut it to 4
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El Oso
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3:10p, 1/3/26
Did not like the slow developing play, but they fouled us on the three point attempt.
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El Oso
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3:12p, 1/3/26
Decent come back attempt, but too many wasted opportunities during the comeback.
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El Oso
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3:13p, 1/3/26
68-63
10 seconds left.

Need a quick three and then an immediate turnover and score.
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Big12Fan2024
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3:14p, 1/3/26
Another loss to TCU. This is disheartening. Really thought this was one of the away games we could steal.
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bear2be2
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In reply to IowaBear • 3:14p, 1/3/26
IowaBear said:
Putrid last 2 possessions. MOVE the ball

Both times we looked poised to make a run, when we cut it to six earlier in the half and down four with two minutes left, we put together back-to-back trash possessions. Can't do that.
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El Oso
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3:14p, 1/3/26
Couldn't hit it.
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Bearwhiz
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3:15p, 1/3/26
This team isn't going to the tournament
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Big12Fan2024
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3:15p, 1/3/26
I guess we join KU in the cellar after both of our first games.
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IowaBear
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3:17p, 1/3/26
It's 1 game and this team could steal a few they shouldn't. But I just have an incredibly hard time seeing Baylor's name on selection Sunday. This just isn't a good team
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BearFan33
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3:18p, 1/3/26
The loss sucks. We had our chances. TNT production was thumbs up for sure
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Smashmouth
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3:18p, 1/3/26
Wondering why we played a high school team before the Big 12 opener. Is that on the old AD?
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Johnny Bear
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3:18p, 1/3/26
Looking at that schedule, a 0-6 conference start is a real possibility.
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Bearwhiz
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In reply to Johnny Bear • 3:22p, 1/3/26
Our best chance for a win against OSU.
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Smashmouth
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3:33p, 1/3/26
Also wondering why we don't have any returning players? That's a combination of things I'm sure but I don't believe a program that has such a reputation of being a culture of JOY should be in that position.
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boognish_bear
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3:35p, 1/3/26
Feels like McNamee is stepping in at such a critical time with our backpedaling in football and basketball since 2021.

We need someone to get these programs back to being in contention for conference titles again and not spinning our wheels mid-pack or worse.
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GodleyBear
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3:52p, 1/3/26
So we're not really good in any sport anymore, huh?
Tcu owns us in every sport? Wow.
Hard to get excited much with BU sports.
Wish we still had a dominant women's team.
Counting on Doug!!!
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True Grit
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In reply to Smashmouth • 4:09p, 1/3/26
Why has this not been discussed more in regards to the roles of Scott and Mack in this situation? I am not saying that those players should have all been brought back, but for them all to leave is just wild. We use NIL, injuries, change in coaches, no donor support, insert excuse here... for every setback or screw up.

Also, in addition to Tech, TCU has a better Athletic Department than us right now.
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bear2be2
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In reply to BearFan33 • 4:10p, 1/3/26
BearFan33 said:
The loss sucks. We had our chances. TNT production was thumbs up for sure

TNT does a phenomenal job. Did with football too.

If I was Yormark, I'd be trying to get them to go all in on the Big 12 as its primary broadcasting partner in the next round of TV negotiations.
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bear2be2
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In reply to True Grit • 4:11p, 1/3/26
True Grit said:
Why has this not been discussed more in regards to the roles of Scott and Mack in this situation? I am not saying that those players should have all been brought back, but for them all to leave is just wild. We use NIL, injuries, change in coaches, no donor support, insert excuse here... for every setback or screw up.

Also, in addition to Tech, TCU has a better Athletic Department than us right now.

Who that could have returned did you want back from last year's team?

Josh O is the only one, and he's going to miss this year recovering from injury.
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to bear2be2 • 4:18p, 1/3/26
Highly impressed with the dollars and effort they've put into Big 12 football and basketball thus far. Really good overall production.
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Smashmouth
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In reply to bear2be2 • 4:20p, 1/3/26
bear2be2 said:
True Grit said:
Why has this not been discussed more in regards to the roles of Scott and Mack in this situation? I am not saying that those players should have all been brought back, but for them all to leave is just wild. We use NIL, injuries, change in coaches, no donor support, insert excuse here... for every setback or screw up.

Also, in addition to Tech, TCU has a better Athletic Department than us right now.

Who that could have returned did you want back from last year's team?

Josh O is the only one, and he's going to miss this year recovering from injury.
I guess I'm wondering how we got in a position where we didn't want any players back. Why even have them on the roster in the first place if they are not good enough to stick around and get better. It sure appears like the program was not being run properly even before NIL became the norm
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canoso
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In reply to El Oso • 4:41p, 1/3/26
El Oso said:
Decent come back attempt, but too many wasted opportunities during the comeback.

MBB channeling FB? Eerie.
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DP4LIFE
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In reply to bear2be2 • 4:44p, 1/3/26
bear2be2 said:
True Grit said:
Why has this not been discussed more in regards to the roles of Scott and Mack in this situation? I am not saying that those players should have all been brought back, but for them all to leave is just wild. We use NIL, injuries, change in coaches, no donor support, insert excuse here... for every setback or screw up.

Also, in addition to Tech, TCU has a better Athletic Department than us right now.

Who that could have returned did you want back from last year's team?

Josh O is the only one, and he's going to miss this year recovering from injury.

The situation with Robert Wright in the offseason really screwed Drew/BU this year.
He was supposed to be the foundation to build around - and when he and his dad jumped ship to BYU for the bag, it left Drew in a really bad place.

This team is missing a few pieces - but a PG the caliber of Wright would have limited those missing pieces.
This is a fringe tourney team at best. Maybe a down year will be enough to keep a few guys like Carr, Williams, Powell, and a few others around for another year to build around. But, something tells me they'll be replacing 9-10+ guys every season unless the rules change with NIL and transferring at will.
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Quinton
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4:47p, 1/3/26
Obi and Rataj are not translating at this level right now. Obi can't get a step so they start 40 ft out. Rataj also can't get a step on guys and is having trouble getting his shot.

Unfortunately they were both coveted transfers.. imagine if we just chose two different high coveted players. It isn't like they scrimped on those two. Would be a very good team. Not outright whiffs but it stings with what could have been.

I thought Nnaji was excellent. Dude was gassed after just 2 minutes. But by my count, going right at him they went 1-8 on shot attempts. Can't ask for better right out of the gate. Once he gets his feet under him. Most of the bigs and guards in this league will have trouble scoring in the paint with him planted there.
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True Grit
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In reply to bear2be2 • 4:48p, 1/3/26
I don't think we saw enough of Asemota and Adegbola to say good riddance. Yes to Ojianwuna staying for me. The whole Wright thing doesn't sit well with me that money has been discussed as the reason for him leaving over the unknown roster for the season playing a part in it as well. I mean he could go to a sure thing at BYU or be on our current team wondering if they will even make the tournament.
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Quinton
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 4:49p, 1/3/26
Crawfoso1973 said:
Obi and Rataj are disappearing against big 12 physicality. They need to wake up or we are in big trouble in this league.

Yep.. you can accept mistakes but so far they don't have it at this level. They were both highly thought of transfers. If we had picked two of the numerous guys who are impacting things.. this would be a different team. If they play like this, will be a long, long year.
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Quinton
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In reply to Quinton • 4:56p, 1/3/26
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IowaBear
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In reply to Quinton • 5:01p, 1/3/26
Rataj was always a concern for me because his stats didn't spike until the P12 was G5 level. Agbims tape looked great. But again, against G5 teams. There's always going to be that risk when you target those guys. That's not to say you can't hit on those types. You absolutely can. But the tape on those two fooled most I think.
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Quinton
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In reply to IowaBear • 5:07p, 1/3/26
IowaBear said:
Rataj was always a concern for me because his stats didn't spike until the P12 was G5 level. Agbims tape looked great. But again, against G5 teams. There's always going to be that risk when you target those guys. That's not to say you can't hit on those types. You absolutely can. But the tape on those two fooled most I think.

I'd have to look back at Obi's. He seemed athletic but the dude just has no burst to get a step at this level.

It seems every major Mountain West transfer has translated really well recently but Obi. He needs to play off ball unfortunately. Decent shooter but man the difference between him and Williams off the bounce is crazy.
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IowaBear
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In reply to Quinton • 5:09p, 1/3/26
He's not near as quick but Williams first step is similar to Davion. Both guys got around their defender with the first step. Immediately collapsing the D
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Quinton
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In reply to IowaBear • 5:17p, 1/3/26
IowaBear said:
He's not near as quick but Williams first step is similar to Davion. Both guys got around their defender with the first step. Immediately collapsing the D

Yep, he has a great first step.

Obi starts with that hop step to get momentum and just can't get around anyone at this level. Its a little crazy to me but can't change it now. Have to try and gameplan around it
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Stefano DiMera
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5:38p, 1/3/26
I see the panic meter has set in.

Even saw several posts we'd only win 5 league games.

TCU beat the defending champions.. and Wisconsin.. and should have beat Michigan.

And the New Orleans loss they lost their starting center in first 7 minutes.

We gave up 69 points.. that's good.

The issue was the offense today..
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Crawfoso1973
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In reply to True Grit • 5:47p, 1/3/26
True Grit said:
I don't think we saw enough of Asemota and Adegbola to say good riddance. Yes to Ojianwuna staying for me. The whole Wright thing doesn't sit well with me that money has been discussed as the reason for him leaving over the unknown roster for the season playing a part in it as well. I mean he could go to a sure thing at BYU or be on our current team wondering if they will even make the tournament.


Asemota had refused coaching and was never gonna return. Adegbila was a walkon.

The wright situation was 100% about the $. Don't kid yourself into thinking otherwise.
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to True Grit • 5:49p, 1/3/26
True Grit said:
I don't think we saw enough of Asemota and Adegbola to say good riddance. Yes to Ojianwuna staying for me. The whole Wright thing doesn't sit well with me that money has been discussed as the reason for him leaving over the unknown roster for the season playing a part in it as well. I mean he could go to a sure thing at BYU or be on our current team wondering if they will even make the tournament.


Asemota has been suspended twice (and brought back) by BC and is barely averaging 8 minutes a game on a bad Boston College team. Asemota is well on his way to being a 4 star bust. He should have moved down to mid major level.

Adegbola was a preferred walk on who transferred down to Northwestern State, where he can't even break into the starting lineup of a 3-10 mid major. He has averaged 7 points while shooting 28% from 3.

Neither would have played over the 8 we have earning all the minutes currently.
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